FG to Complete Bodo-Bonny Road, Directs Julius Berger Back to Site

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has assured the host communities of the Bodo-Bonny road project in Rivers state that the federal government would ensure the speedy completion of the project.

Umahi gave the assurance during a courtesy visit by a delegation of the Bodo–Bonny Road “Peace Committee” to his office headquarters in Mabushi, Abuja.

The minister who described the project as a catalyst for economic revolution in the area, stated that the project was awarded to Julius Berger Nigeria Plc by the previous administration and about 84 per cent of the project had been completed.

He noted that there was a partnership agreement in 2017 between the federal government and Nigeria LNG on modalities for the funding of the project and wondered why the contractor was no longer on site despite its commitment under the agreement to deliver within the revised date of completion.

He faulted the stand by Julius Berger on variation of the project even when the company had signed a commitment to complete the project without asking for further variation.

 “No equipment must be allowed to be moved out of site, they must complete that project as agreed and as signed and nothing has removed that responsibility which they willingly on their own signed. 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 N199 billion. I am told by the ministry and 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,” he added.

The Peace Committee’s Acting Chairman and leader of the delegation, Dr.  John Jumbo, said the delegation was in the minister’s office to register their displeasure over the sudden demobilisation from site and abandonment of the Bodo-Bonny road by the contractor.

He stressed that this is despite the huge funds committed by the federal government through the NLNG and implored the timeous intervention of government to avert the imminent hardship faced by the people of the area.