The second
Niger Bridge will be completed on time despite the challenges being
faced. This reassurance was made by the managing director of Julius Berger Plc
Mr. Lars Richter, just as he also reassured the use of the highest international
quality materials.
This information is coming just as
President Muhammadu Buhari has endorsed the progress of work being
progressively achieved at the Second Niger Bridge saying that, “the project is
on-course irrespective of initial teething problems that occasioned some loss
of time.” The Honourable Minister of works and housing, Babatunde Fashola, SAN,
who represented the President, spoke in Asaba weekend at the inspection/town
hall meeting on the landmark priority project stating that 2022 remains the
completion period.
The President communicated his position on the project, just as Anambra State
Governor, Chief Willie Obiano and his Delta state colleague, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa
lauded the project amid expectations of speedy and timely delivery.
A statement
from Julius Berger quoting Fashola said,: “2022 remains the project delivery
date. That is the Federal Government’s commitment to the N414billion Bridge
investment by the government. Of this amount, Roads 2a and 2b alone is costing
the government N208billion.”
Fashola revealed
that: “The contractor needs about 4million cubic meters of sand, a lot of
supplies of cement, 19 million liters of diesel including local labour to
deliver the project,” adding that all of that is already spinning off
multiplier economic and commercial activities within the host communities and
states. On compensation to the communities in the project area, Fashola said
state governments are in the best position to liaise with communities on behalf
of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing
Speaking, the Managing Director, Julius Berger Plc, Lars Richter said :
“We at Julius Berger have a proven track record of successfully completing work
on time, no matter the challenge. We continue to set standards for
technological leadership in the construction sector and seek to pioneer
state-of-the-art construction methods and technologies, as we have in the
Second Niger Bridge, to ensure that value-driven innovations are prioritised
for the benefit of our clients and the country at large. Our reliability and
quality of works continues to stand the test of time.
I am confident and without doubt, that with
the strong commitment of all stakeholders and the support of our host
communities, Julius Berger will unfailingly deliver on the project requirements
on time and up to the highest standards; up to Julius Berger standards”
Meanwhile, the statement said Chief
Obiano observed, for instance, that: “Covid-19 or no Covid-19, we can all see
that the President, the Honourable Minister and his team at the Federal
Ministry of Works, and Housing as well as the contractor, Julius Berger Nigeria
Plc, have remained committed to the work to deliver the second Niger Bridge.”
Chief Obiano added, “Even while evidently
proactively observing all NCDC prescribed and necessary human protection and
safety protocols, the contractor has steadily continued to incrementally build
the second Niger Bridge to the admiration of all stakeholders” While the
Governor urged Julius Berger Nigeria Plc to within its Corporate Social Responsibility
considerations, address any pending issues with the communities, he called on
all stakeholders to “support the Federal Government’s initiatives and restrain
the restive youths from actions that could hinder the progress being seriously
recorded on the project.”
The progress of the ongoing works by the
contractor, said Governor Obiano, can only be sustained to full success where
peace is purposely allowed to reign on site. Delta State Governor, represented
by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Chinedu Ebie, thanked President
Buhari for “the massive project and the good progress achieved so far on site
as we look forward to the successful commissioning in 2022.”
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