FG approves N280b for completion of Bodo-Bonny road project, tasks Julius Berger on December deadline

By AKOR SYLVESTER-Abuja

 

The Federal Government has approved the total and final sum of N280 billion for the completion of Bodo-Bonny road project in order to ease transportation challenges in South South area of the country.

 

This is as the government threatened termination of RCC road contract for leaving project site despite being funded.

 

The minister of works, David Umahi who stated this during his  inspection visit to the project site yesterday, 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.

 

Umahi 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, stating that 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, ”

 

He further said ” 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 Minister commended what he described as President Tinubu’s commitment  towards the completion of the road project, while appreciating the perseverance of the Bodo-Bonny Peace Committee and the the cooperation and uprightness of NLNG funding the project.

 

The Minister 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 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 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.

 

Speaking, the Deputy  Chief Whip of the Senate and Senator representating Ebonyi North Senatorial District. 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 for giving priority to road projects

 

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

 

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.”

 

On his part,  Prof 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  the 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,