Victor EzejaThe Nigerian government has approved N280 billion for the completion of Bodo-Bonny road project in Rivers State.
Minister of Works, Engr Dave Umahi, made this known during an inspection visit to the project site on Wednesday, 19th June.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe minister charged Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, the contractor handling the project, to work round the clock and meet up with the project delivery timeline of December 2024.
According to a statement by Orji Uchenna Orji, Special Adviser to the Minister on Media, Umahi voiced concerns about the contractor’s management of the Bodo-Bonny project, stating that payment amounts should be commensurate with the project’s completion.
The Minister warned the contractor to ensure that there is no further delay in the completion of the project, adding that the Federal Government will not approve any more funds for the project.
“And in case the devil comes to play, whatever happens, we are not increasing this project cost,” Umahi stated. “It’s a package, and it’s called lump sum final completion package to Julius Berger to do a beautiful job and attach their name,” he added.
He said the road construction project has been on for 11 years, and the Federal Government doesn’t want it to exceed this year, adding that the contractor should cooperate to meet the delivery date.
Umahi further asked the contractor if there is any other thing “the Minister of Works and NLNG will do to fast track this engagement so that we can arrive at the destination by the 15th of December 2024?”
The Minister commended President Tinubu for his commitment towards the completion of the road project. He equally applauded the perseverance of the Bodo-Bonny Peace Committee and the cooperation and uprightness of NLNG funding the project.
Umahi Berates RCC Over Handling Of 15km East-West Road
The Minister also expressed dismay over the attitude of RCC handling 15km East West Road (From Port Harcourt Eleme Junction to Onne Port Junction) for their excessive delay on the project despite receiving mobilisation for the job and warned that Federal Government would not entertain any request for Variation on Price (VOP).
“We are very sad with the manners and behaviours of this contractor, RCC,” Umahi stated. “The Federal Government has paid over N40 billion on this project, and not even one kilometre has been completed. And let me make it very clear that the cost we have given on the review of this project does not attract any VOP. There is no VOP on the project as far as the rates are concerned now.”
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He decried the sufferings of the road users and expressed intention to source funds to maintain the road for the time being pending when the company remobilizes to the site. “So we have to see where we can search for funds and get any contractor around here to maintain the road. We need to maintain the road. We need to pity the people. It’s not acceptable what our people are passing through for an excuse from RCC that they are importing machines for the job.”
Other projects inspected by the Minister were the dualisation of East-West road section II (sub section II) (Ahoada-Kaiama in Rivers/Bayelsa States) being handled by Setraco Nigeria Ltd and the construction of multiple box culverts at flood damaged locations along the dualisation of East-West road (section II) Ahoada-Kaiama in Rivers/Bayelsa States being handled by Messrs. Rock Result Nigeria Ltd.
The NLNG representative and manager Government Relations, Dienye Godson, thanked President Tinubu and his team for the will to complete the project. “I must commend the Honourable Minister for all the efforts he has put in. He has spent several weeks and obviously has been very patient. And that has led us to where we are today. So, as a company, we are happy. So, at this stage now, we’ll go back and go through our own internal processes to ensure that we provide as much support as we can to the government,” Godson stated.
On his part, spokesperson for the Bodo-Bonny Peace Committee, Professor Jasper Jumbo, hailed the president and minister of works for their commitment to the road project. “I must commend your patriotism. I must commend your professionalism,” Jumbo told Umahi. “One thing that this administration has shown us is that we enlisted people of credibility and people of integrity. I commend Mr. President, for bringing such a minister that is committed to giving Nigeria the best. This is the practical aspect of Renewed Hope,” he added.
Speaking on behalf of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, the project manager assured that the company would remobilise to site and run the project. “We will not lean back, and we’ll continue and expedite the re-mobilisation of this project to ensure our full commitment. And as you rightly have said, Honourable Minister, we as partners in progress must have all hands on deck,” Julius Berger project manager stated.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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