The Rivers state ongoing Bodo-Bonny link road construction contract sum has been increased by the federal government from the initial ₦199 billion to the sum of ₦280 billion.
David Umahi, the minister of works, 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.
Also, Umahi explained that the Federal Ministry of Works is harmonizing contracts based on priority and the availability of funds to see such projects to completion.
However, he noted 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.
In addition, 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.
Running Battles With Berger
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, the second Niger Bridge, Lagos/Ibadan, and Odukpani in Cross River, that’s give and take.
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“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 ₦280 billion, and that is the completion cost.
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