The Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, has awarded Julius Berger Nigeria Plc the contract to construct a 19.7 km road in the Kalabari area of the state amid an ongoing Senate investigation into the construction company’s numerous failed projects.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony of the N30 billion project, in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State Capital, Governor Fubara disclosed that a significant amount of the project has already been paid, reflecting his administration’s commitment to delivering quality infrastructure to the Kalabari people.
The Governor, who noted that the project will span a period of 15 months stated, “This project is a 19.7 km long road. It is awarded to Julius Berger Nigeria Limited at the cost of N30.4bn.
We have already paid 30 percent of this project cost, even at the hit of our trouble when our allocation was withheld. We paid N9.1bn for you to understand how we feel and how we value the Kalabari people.
The contractor has assured us it will do a good job, and I believe that before the 15 months are over.
On the potential benefits of the Kalabari road project, Fubara highlighted, “Issues of criminality along the bad section of the road will be a thing of the past, and maybe other development will also come into your kingdom,” he added.
The Managing Director of Julius Berger, Dr. Peer Lubasch, thanked the Governor for awarding the contract to the construction firm assuring the state government of Julius Berger’s continued support to the infrastructural development of the state.
Lubasch said, “We are deeply grateful for your unwavering support and the privilege to contribute to improving your administration’s ambitious developmental initiatives, which continue to improve the lives of the good people of Rivers State, adding that this event marks another milestone in our shared commitment to progress and development.
He assured residents and the Governor that the project would meet the required standard stressing, “Julius Berger has built a reputation for excellence and reliability in delivering high-quality projects on schedule across the country, and Rivers State is included. We assure you that this project will uphold the same exceptional standards Julius Berger has come to be known for.
Giving details of the Kalabari road project, the MD concluded: “The significant project was awarded to Julius Berger in August with a completion period of 15 months. The project, which is worth N30.4 bn, will connect nine separate communities in the Asari-Toru, Degema, and Akuku-Toru Local Government Areas in the Kalabari Kingdom.”
Investors King reports that this development follows an ongoing investigation by the country’s senate following Julius Berger’s refusal to appear before its Committee on Works and the numerous failed projects managed by the company.
It should be recalled that, after the lawmakers’ debate on the motion for a warrant of arrest against the construction firm, raised by the Minority Whip, Senator Osita Ngwu (PDP-Enugu West), Senate President Godswill Akpabio condemned Julius Berger’s failure to comply with the Senate Committee’s summons, citing provisions in the Nigerian Constitution and Senate rules.
Akpabio announced the approval of a warrant of arrest for the management of Julius Berger, directing them to appear before the Senate.
