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… Projects to Create Thousands of Jobs ~ Wike
By Joel Anekwe
Rivers State Government and Julius Berger Nigeria Plc on Friday signed an agreement for the construction of three flyover bridges in the city of Port Harcourt, planned as solution to the traffic congestion in the city.
The state attorney-general, Dr Zaccheus Adango, led officials of the state government during the signing process, while the managing director of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Dr Lars Richter, led the Julius Berger team.
The length of the Flyover 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.
After the signing the agreement, Governor Nyesom Wike said that the flyover bridges will be completed within 16 months and in line with approved specifications.
He said that the state government would pay 70 percent of the contract sum to ensure that the contractor executed the three flyover bridges on schedule.
“These three flyover bridges will be completed within 16 months as agreed with the contractor. This contract will cost about N21 billion.
“We are going to pay 70 percent of the contract sum upfront. After payment, we expect Julius Berger to give us the required quality and on schedule,” he said.
The governor added that there would be no excuse for variation or extension of the time of project completion.
“There should be no excuse. This contract should be completed within schedule. When government pays Julius Berger the 70 percent upfront, there will be no variation. Everything has been done. What is left is compensation. The money for compensation has been set aside,” he said.
Wike said that the simultaneous construction of the three flyover bridges will generate thousands of jobs for Rivers people within the period of construction and charged the management of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc to ensure that Rivers people are given priority in the employment of construction workers.
He stressed that Rivers people will always benefit from Rivers resources, adding 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.
He said: “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. I appreciate the opportunity that Rivers people gave to me and I will repay them with quality service and projects delivery,” Wike said.
He called on host communities of the flyover bridges to cooperate with the contractor to ensure speedy delivery of the contract.
“Our people should make sacrifices for us to achieve success. We want to change the landscape of Port Harcourt. The flag off will take place next week Tuesday,” he said.
Governor Wike said that he would continue to place the interest of Rivers State 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 process,” he said.
He stated that the government chose Julius Berger Nigeria Plc to execute the project because of the administration’s commitment to quality.
Managing Director of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Dr Lars Richter assured that the company would deliver the three flyover bridges within the approved 16 months period.
He said that Julius Berger would continue to partner with the Rivers State Government to deliver quality projects across the state, adding that Julius Berger has also delivered quality projects under the Wike Administration.
