The Federal Government has sanctioned the final payment of N280 billion for the completion of the Bodo-Bonny Road project.

This was disclosed by the Minister of Works, Sen. Engr. Nweze David Umahi, during an inspection visit to the project site on Wednesday.

Umahi, through a statement by his special adviser on media, Barr. Orji Uchenna Orji, emphasized that the contractor, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, must expedite their work to meet the project delivery deadline of December 2024. He expressed concerns over the contractor’s progress and stressed that the payment must align with the project’s completion.

“The NFF hereby implores the media to join hands with the body to positively resolve issues and then focus on the big picture all the time, rather than needlessly escalate certain matters. There was no official communication from the NFF, yet some persons have gone to town to talk about a ban on Osimhen from the national team. This is not good at all,” he told thenff.com. “And in case the devil comes to play, whatever happens, we are not increasing this project cost. It’s a package, called a lump sum completion package, for 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,” Umahi stated.

He inquired if there was anything the Ministry of Works or the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) could do to expedite the project, aiming for completion by December 15, 2024. He commended the Bodo-Bonny Peace Committee’s perseverance and the NLNG’s cooperation in funding the project.

Meanwhile, Umahi threatened to revoke the 15km East-West Road project (from Port Harcourt Eleme Junction to Onne Port Junction) from RCC due to significant delays, despite receiving mobilization funds. “We are very sad with the manners and behaviours of this contractor, RCC. The federal government has paid over N40 billion on this project, and not even one kilometre has been completed,” Umahi lamented.

He criticized RCC for their delay and emphasized that the federal government would not entertain any request for price variations (VOP). He highlighted the suffering of road users and expressed intent to find interim funds to maintain the road until RCC remobilize.

Other projects inspected by Umahi included the dualisation of East-West Road Section II (sub-section II) (Ahoada-Kaiama in Rivers/Bayelsa States) by Setraco Nigeria Ltd, and the construction of multiple box culverts at flood-damaged locations along the same road by Messrs. Rock Result Nigeria Ltd.

Deputy Senate Chief Whip and Senator representing Ebonyi North Senatorial District, Sen. Barr. Onyekachi Peter Nwaebonyi, and Professor Jasper Jumbo, spokesperson for the Bodo-Bonny Peace Committee, praised the federal government’s commitment to improving road infrastructure.

Nwaebonyi lauded the Minister of Works, stating, “I want to use this opportunity to appreciate once again the performing Minister of Works who is doing wonderfully well on all our roads across the nation. This is one of them, the Bodo-Bonny Road. I believe that with this constant supervision, the contractors will live up to expectations and deliver the job in record time.”

Professor Jumbo also commended the administration’s integrity and commitment, attributing the project’s progress to the minister’s dedication.

Dienye Godson, NLNG representative and manager of government relations, expressed gratitude for the government’s determination to complete the project. “I must commend the honourable minister for all the efforts he has put in. He has spent several weeks and has been very patient. And that has led us to where we are today,” he said.

The project manager for Julius Berger Nigeria Plc assured full commitment and expedited remobilization, pledging, “We will not lean back. We’ll continue and expedite the re-mobilisation of this project to ensure our full commitment. And as you rightly have said, honourable minister, we operate as partners in progress.”