Photo Caption
L-R: Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, Minister of Works, Mr. Dave Umahi and Managing Director, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc; Engr. Dr. Lars Richter during the ministers‘ inspection visit to parts of Section of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano road project weekend.
Minister of Works, David Umahi weekend declared the federal government’s determination to complete the busy Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano road saying that the contractor, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc is the most competent to do the job in the country.
He made the declaration when he and the Minister of Finance/Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun inspected parts of the Abuja-Kaduna section of the dual carriageway.
While explaining that the government and the contractor, Julius Berger, have agreed to complete at least 15 kilometres stretch of the road monthly for the next 24 months, the Works minister said, “we have discussed with Julius Berger and we have come up with a faster construction method that will not just deliver 15km but deliver up to 20km per month. That is what we assure Nigerians. It is only Julius Berger that can do it. With assured financing from the Minister of Finance , they are going to do it. We have got a commitment from the Honourable Minister of Finance to make payment, and I am very sure if we pay Julius Berger according to the commitment on funding, it will complete the job.”
Umahi further commended Julius Berger for the palliative work done on the road saying; “some people sent message commending Ministry of Works for the palliative done on the road, I want to thank them (Berger). They have done quite well. There are just two spots that they need to give some attention and we will be happy while the job is going on,” Umahi said. The Minister of Works further added: “…initially when we started, Julius Berger had four sections working but we ran into hitches due to funding. Now the Finance Minister has assured us of adequate funding, so we agreed that they are going to go back to four sections.“
He continued: “By four sections, we are looking at the completion of 15 kilometres of road every month. We are now looking at 24 months to finish the project. We are assured of financing by the minister and the contractors have reassured that they are going to come back. We therefore assure that funding would not be a problem.“
In his remarks, the Managing Director of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Engr Dr Lars Richter thanked the Federal Government for the inspection and assured that the all-important road will be completed on schedule. While giving a naration on the section by section progress on the works, he said, “…we are fully committed and ready to do implement our acclaimed historical high quality and standards that remains the Julius Berger signature of excellence in contract management and project delivery. We are already on it and given the funding assurances we are getting from our client, we shall give you quality delivery in each section of the road as we make progress to the entire project delivery date.“
Accompanying the Ministers of Works and Finance on the inspection were directors from both Ministry of Works and Finance.
Managing Director Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Engr Dr Lars Richter who conducted the two ministers round the project and several other stakeholders.
Team Julius Berger at the inspection visit was led by Managing Director, Engr Dr Lars Richter. Executive Project Director, Mr. Benjamin Bott, as well as Engr Yusuf Ibrahim, Mr, Sabastian Schifiner, Head, Corporate Communications, Mr, James Agama as well as Ag. Head, Media Relations, Emmanuel Isibor also accompanied the Managing Director.
