By Mashe Umaru Gwamna
The Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) has earmarked N28 billion for the completion of Bodo-Bonny road project on a deadline of December, 2024.
This was disclosed by the Minister of Works, David Umahi, during his inspection visit to the project site on Wednesday, according to a statement signed by Special Adviser (Media) to the Honourable Minister of Works, Hon. Barr. Orji Uchenna Orji.
He warned that the contractor handling the project, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, must work round the clock to beat the project delivery deadline of December 2024.
Expressing reservations over the Bodo-Bonny project administration by the contractor, the Minister insisted that the amount of money paid needed to correspond with the project to be delivered.
He warned that no further excuses on the project delivery timeline or demands for additional funds for the project for any reason of variation by the contractor would be entertained by the federal government again.
“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 their 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 cooperate,” he said, adding that he would be asking Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, “is there was anything that the Minister of Works and NLNG will do to fast track this engagement so that we can arrive at the destination by the 15th of December 2024?”.
In a another development, the Minister expressed dismay over the attitude of RCC, the contrators handing 15km East West Road (From Port Harcourt Eleme Junction to Onne Port Junction), for their inordinate delay on the project despite receiving mobilisation for the job and warned that the federal government would not entertain any request for Variation on Price( VOP).
