The Minister of Works Sen. Engr. David Umahi has assured that the abandoned Bodo-Bonny road & bridge project being handled by Julius Berger construction company in Rivers State will be completed in record time.

In a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Minister of Works Barr. Uchenna Orji on Wednesday, Umahi gave the assurance during the courtesy visit of a delegation of Bodo–Bonny Road Peace Committee to his office at the Federal Ministry of Works, Abuja described the project as a catalyst for an economic revolution in the area.

He noted that the project which is about 84% completed was awarded to Julius Berger Nigeria Plc by the previous administration and wondered why the contractor was no longer on site despite their commitment under their agreement to deliver within the revised date of completion

While ordering the contractor to return to the site, Umahi faulted the stand of Julius Berger PLC on variation of the project even when the company had signed a commitment to complete the project without asking for further variation maintaining that no equipment must be allowed to be moved out of site, they must complete that project as agreed and assigned.

“I implore you the peace committee to report to me the progress that has been made on that road, Bobo-Bonny project was augmented to 199billion, I am told by the Ministry and NLNG Limited (NLNG) that there was a document signed by Julius Berger that the project cannot be varied which means that the project cost cannot be increased, the project is about 35 kilometres,” Umahi said

“I thanked the host communities for maintaining peace between them and the contractor handling the project despite the delays and the Ministry would make sure that the Bobo-Bonny road project would be completed by April 2024. Nobody will hold this country to ransom, if they cannot do it, another person will come and do it and finish it even better but the only charge I give to you is not to allow any equipment out of sight untill they complete the project.”

The Minister equally said the Federal Government will equally handle a coastal road in the area of even greater site challenges, and the cost would not be up to what Government is paying Julius Berger.

Earlier, on his remarks the Bodo-Bonny Road Peace Committee, Acting Chairman and leader of the delegation, Chief Dr. Charles John Jumbo thanked Mr. President for the massive intervention he is bringing to the road sub-sector and appreciated the efforts of the Ministry of Works in changing the narrative of the road infrastructure in Nigeria.

He said that the delegation was in the Minister’s office to register their displeasure over the sudden demobilization from site and abandonment of the Bodo-Bonny Road and Bridge project by Julius Berger Plc despite the huge funds committed by the Federal Government

“We also take this opportunity to express our heartfelt gratitude to our dear President for appointing a distinguished Engineer and administrator of your calibre to oversee the crucial Federal Ministry of Works. Your appointment has indeed sparked hope within us for the successful execution of various infrastructure projects within Nigeria, especially the Bodo-Bonny Road and Bridges Project,” he said.
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