The Federal Government has reviewed upwards the contract sum for the ongoing construction of the multi-billion naira Bodo-Bonny link road in Rivers State from the initial N199 billion to the sum of N280 billion.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, who disclosed this during an inspection tour of road projects in Rivers State on Wednesday, also said the apex government has set December 15, 2024, as the target date for the completion and commissioning of the project.
Umahi explained that the Federal Ministry of Works is harmonising contracts based on priority and the availability of funds to see such projects to completion.
While noting that President Bola Tinubu’s administration inherited over 2,600 uncompleted road projects, the minister said the projects are to be executed based on fairness and equity across the geo-political zones and states due to paucity of funds.
The minister, who addressed journalists shortly after the inspection, emphasized that the sum of money paid to contractors should correspond with the completed projects, saying, “And this is what we are going to be looking at, at the ministry of works. Contractors should not be having our money to that extent,” he said.
He noted that the ministry will do its part including timely payment of milestones, to ensure that Julius Berger completes the project in record time and solicits their commitment.
Umahi stated, “Shortly a while ago we arrived at the zenith zero of the famous Bodo-Bonny road being handled by Julius Berger. We have had some running battles with Berger. For Berger, they needed to complete the road and for the Ministry of Works, the road must not be completed at all costs.
“The job must be completed within the limited resources available to the Federal Government. However, we have caved into the demands of Berger and I’m also happy that Berger caved in, in the other locations where we have differences like the Abuja/Kano road, second Niger Bridge, Lagos/Ibadan, Odukpani in Cross River, that’s give and take.
“So we are not unhappy about agreeing to the cost that Berger posed to us so we have accepted the cost, so the project has been reviewed to a final figure of N280 Billion and that is the completion cost. “
