Rivers Government Signs N195.3bn Ring Road Contract with Julius Berger

•Fubara donates N20m to slain police officer’s widow

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

The Rivers government has signed a contract with Julius Berger for a N195.3 billion Port Harcourt Ring Road project to decongest Port Harcourt city, transversing six local government areas.

The Attorney General, Prof Zaccheus Adangor, Commissioner for Works, Dr. George Kelly-Alabo and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Ebere Emenike, signed the contract on behalf of the government, as Managing Director of Julius Berger, Dr. Lars Richter, Assistant Regional Manager, Rimon Marisho, signed for the German construction giant.

After signing the contract, Governor Siminalayi Fubara explained that the ring road is his legacy project, and construction should be completed within 36 months, with the contractor receiving over N150 billion in mobilisation.

Fubara said, “This is something previous governments had conceived. Some had so much money. Some save hundreds of billions of naira in bank accounts but couldn’t venture into it. The total value of the contract is N195.3 billion, and we are paying (mobilising) you 77 per cent, which is over N150 billion immediately after this event. Once will confirm 55% of the initial fund release, we will commence payment of the balance.”

Fubara sought cooperation with the government, contractor, and from communities the road project will pass through, daring “any traditional ruler, chiefs, with youths who try to disrupt or sabotage the project will immediately be suspended and prosecuted.”

In his speech, the Managing Director of Julius Berger, Dr Richter, thanked the governor for the trust reposed on the company and assured of delivering the project on schedule with high quality as exhibited in the previous projects entrusted to them by the previous administration.

Meanwhile, the governor has presented a cash endowment of N20 million to the widow of a slain police officer, the late Inspector Collins David. David was recently killed on active duty while serving under the Ahoada Division of the Rivers State police command.

Presenting the cheque on behalf of the governor yesterday, at the police headquarters, on Moscow Road Port Harcourt, the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, said the gesture is Fubara’s demonstration of commitment to ensuring that the families of policemen who lost their lives in the cause of serving the state are not left in dissolution.

He commiserated with the state police command led by the commissioner, Mr Emeka Nwonyi, over the officer’s death.

“This is in continuation of the traditions of Rivers state government security architecture, to partner the police and other security agencies in the fight against crime and to let you know that Rivers state government will always stand with you; this is a token of support,” he explained.

He added, “We understand money cannot replace a life, but it is a way of showing support to the men and officers who serve in Rivers state. Whenever we hear that your gallant officers either sustain a life-threatening injury or lose their lives in the service to the state, the government of Rivers state will, as a point of duty and commitment, come to commiserate with affected officers or their families and render any possible support to ensure that our officers understand that we value their services.”

While commending the relentless efforts of the state police command and, in particular, the strategic fight against criminality by Nwonyi, the governor maintained that his collaboration with the security agencies shows that the Rivers government and the people appreciate the efforts of the police in the state.

“Your husband did not die in vain. He died for a worthy cause. If anyone dies for a good course, God watches over his own,” he said.

The police commissioner described Fubara’s monetary presentation to the fallen officer’s family as an uncommon gesture of encouragement in the country. Nwonyi expressed the gratitude of the command to the governor, who he said has always been there for the police command.

He recalled that the late David was a brave officer who worked tirelessly to ensure crime was nipped in the bud, especially in the Ahoada axis of the state. The widow of the deceased officer, Mrs Christiana David, thanked the Rivers governor for the goodwill and cash gift.

“We are immensely grateful. On behalf of my children and the extended family of David, thank you, Governor Fubara. God bless you immensely and keep Rivers state safe,” she said.