Rivers State Government in a bid to further proffer solution to traffic congestion in the state has said it would pay a whopping seventy percent of contract sum to Julius Berger Nigeria Plc upfront to construct three flyover bridges in the State capital, Port-Harcourt.
The state Governor, Nyesom Wike, who goes by the moniker ‘Mr. Projects’, made this declaration on Friday, October 18, 2019 at the signing of agreement for the construction of the bridges. The officials of the state government were led by Attorney-General of Rivers State, Dr. Zaccheus Adango while the Managing Director of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Dr. Lars Richter, led the Julius Berger team at the event.
The length of the fly-over bridges include: Artillery 1 and 2: 517.5 metres, Rumuokoro 360 metres and Garrison 360 metres all estimated at the cost of about N21-billion. According to the Governor, the money will be paid to ensure the contractor delivers the works at the scheduled time and will be in line with approved specifications.
He said, “These three fly-over bridges will be completed within 16months as agreed with the contractor. This contract will cost about N21billion. We are going to pay 70percent of the contract sum upfront. After payment, we expect Julius Berger to give us the required quality and on schedule.
“There should be no excuse. This contract should be completed within schedule. When Government pays Julius Berger the 70percent upfront, there will be no variation. Everything has been done. What is left is compensation. The money for compensation has been set aside.”
Wike, known for his philanthropic and empowering nature, said the period of construction will generate jobs for the natives and charged the management of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc to ensure that the people of Rivers are given priority in the employment of construction of the bridges.
He added that aside the construction of the flyover bridges, his administration has awarded contracts for the reconstruction and expansion of key roads in Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas.
“Most of the roads have been awarded for construction. We have the New GRA, the Old GRA, Ikwerre Road and other key roads. They will be handled by major contractors…Our second term will be like the first term,” the Governor assured.
He however, prayed host communities of the fly-over bridges to cooperate with the contractor so as to ensure speedy delivery of the contract and stated that the construction will start on Tuesday, October 22, 2019. He also explained that Julius Berger was chosen to execute the project because of the administration’s commitment to quality.
Wike also assured that serving the interest of the people is most important above other considerations. “The only political party that I belong to is Rivers State. Anything that is against the interest of Rivers State, count me out. For this project, I am directly responsible for community relations. I will liaise with the communities to ensure that nobody stops the development proces,” he said.
Dr Lars Richter on his part, assured that the Julius Berger will deliver the three fly-over bridges within the approved period and promised the company’s alliance with Rivers state Government will not waver as it has always delivered quality projects across the state.
Yetunde Adegoke
