In a significant move to enhance the socio-economic prospects of the Bodo and Bonny communities in Rivers State and alleviate transportation challenges, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved N280 billion for the completion of the Bodo-Bonny Road.
Minister of Works, Senator Nweze David Umahi, disclosed this during his visit to the project site. He urged Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, the contractor, to work tirelessly to meet the project delivery deadline of December 2024.
Expressing reservations about the project’s administration by the contractor, Umahi insisted that the funds already paid should correspond with the project’s completion. He emphasized that no additional funds would be approved for any variations.
“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 its 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 co-operate,” Umahi stated.
Umahi also commended President Tinubu’s commitment to the road project, praising the perseverance of the Bodo-Bonny Peace Committee and the cooperation of NLNG, which is funding the project.
In a related development, Umahi expressed dismay over the delays by RCC on the 15km East-West Road project, despite receiving mobilization funds. He warned that the Federal Government would not entertain any requests for Variation on Price (VOP).
“We are very sad with the manner and behavior of this contractor, RCC. The federal government has paid over N40 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 said.
He highlighted the sufferings of road users and expressed the intention to source funds to maintain the road pending the company’s re-mobilization.
Other projects inspected by the minister included the dualization of the East-West Road section II (subsection II) (Ahoada-Kaiama in Rivers/Bayelsa states) handled by Setraco Nigeria Ltd and the construction of multiple box culverts at flood-damaged locations along the dualization of the East-West Road (section II) Ahoada-Kaiama handled by Messrs. Rock Result Nigeria Ltd.
The Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, Barrister Onyekachi Peter Nwaebonyi, who was part of the inspection, and Professor Jasper Jumbo, the spokesperson for the Bodo-Bonny Peace Committee, thanked the president for the significant impact his administration has made on Nigeria’s road infrastructure. They also praised the Minister of Works for his dedication and professionalism.
“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,” Nwaebonyi said.
Professor Jasper Jumbo added, “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 the 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 of Government Relations, Dienye Godson, also expressed gratitude to the president and his team for their determination to complete the project.
“I must commend the 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,” he stated.
On behalf of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, the project manager assured, “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, minister, we as partners in progress must have all hands on deck.”
