FG Approves Fund to Complete Bodo-Bonny Road, Tasks Julius Berger On December Project Delivery

• Minister Berates RCC For Leaving Site Despite Being Funded, Issues A Seven-Day Ultimatum to Remobilize or Risk Job Termination

In furtherance of the resolve of the President  of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR to bring  to a conclusive  end  the perennial transportation challenges in Bodo-Bonny, South South  of Nigeria and thus enhance the socio-economic prospects  of the two communities of  Rivers State, the Federal Government has approved  the total and final sum  of N280 billion for the completion of Bodo-Bonny road project.

This was revealed by the Honourable Minister of Works, His Excellency, Sen. Engr. Nweze David Umahi CON during  his  inspection  visit to the project site this 19th June 2024.

A statement issued by Hon. Barr. Orji Uchenna Orji, Special Adviser (Media) to the Honourable Minister of Works noted that the minister warned that the contractor handling the project, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, must work round the clock to beat the project delivery timeline of December 2024.

The Honourable Minister expressed  reservation over the Bodo-Bonny project  administration by the contractor, insisting that the amount of money paid needed to correspond with the project completed.

He, however, enjoined the contractor  to ensure that no further  excuses were given on the project  delivery timeline as Federal Government  would  not approve further  funds for the project for any reason  of variation  whatsoever.

“And in case the devil comes to play, whatever happens, we are not increasing this project cost. 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. It has been 11 years, and we don’t want it to exceed this year. And so it is in your interest that you cooperate,”  the minister said.

He further added during the site visit, ” I will be asking Julius Berger Nigeria Plc,  is there anything that 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 Honourable Minister commended  Mr. President’s  commitment  towards the completion of the  road project, and praised the perseverance of the Bodo-Bonny  Peace Committee and the cooperation  and uprightness of  NLNG funding the project.

Similarly, the Honourable Minister has expressed  dismay  over the attitude of RCC handing 15km East  West Road (From Port Harcourt Eleme Junction to Onne Port Junction) for their inordinate  delay on the project despite receiving mobilization 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.The federal government has paid over 40 billion on this project, and not even one kilometer 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,” he emphasized.

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, adding “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 Honourable  Minister  were the dualization 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 dualization of East-West road (section II) Ahoada-Kaiama in Rivers/Bayelsa States being handled by Messrs. Rock Result Nigeria Ltd.

In their words of commendation to Mr President, the Deputy Chief Whip  of the Senate and Senator  representing  Ebonyi North Senatorial  District. Sen. Barr. Onyekachi  Peter Nwaebonyi who was part of the  inspection  visit and the spokesperson  to the Bodo-Bonny Peace  Committee, Professor Jasper Jumbo thanked the President of Nigeria for the great difference his administration has brought  in the Nigeria’s road infrastructure trajectory.

They appreciated  the Honourable Minister of Works  for  handling  the mandate of the Ministry of Works  with an  exceptional  sense  of passion  and professionalism.

Sen. Nwaebonyi  said,  “I want to use this opportunity to appreciate once again the performing Minister of Works who is doing wonderfully well on all our roads across the nation. This is one of them, the Bodo-Bonny Road. And I believe that with this constant supervision, the contractors will live up to expectations and deliver the job within  a record time.”

Professor Jasper Jumbo said, “And I must commend your patriotism. I must commend your professionalism. 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.

The NLNG representative  and manager  Government  Relations, Dienye Godson also thanked  Mr. President  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.”

In his assurances  on behalf  of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, the project manager stated, “We will not lean back, and we’ll continue and expedite the re-mobilization 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.”