The N280 billion Bodo-Bonny Road contractor, Julius Berger, is now working on a project in Rivers State. The Federal Government has given him till September 2025 to finish the work.

This occurred as President Bola Tinubu gave Julius Berger his fixed contract amount, which had been examined upward to allow for the road’s early completion.

This was revealed by David Umahi, the minister of works, on Monday during an assessment of federal road projects that are currently underway in the state.

According to Umahi, the approval was granted following discussions with the contractor, who demanded the specified amount in order to finish the project and pushed the business to make sure it followed the project specifications.

He declared, “And let me say that we have provided Julius Berger with the desired amount of money.” For a full year, we bargained, but Berger would not concede. As a result, we have to provide you the entire sum of money you have requested, which is why we have sent you the award letter. Thus, you must sign the amendment.

“Your request was granted by the President and the Federal Executive Council, bringing the project’s fixed contract price of N280 billion. This is the request of Berger and Mr President has done the request of Berger. Berger must therefore mobilise in at least three sites in order to finish this task.

In order to make sure the contractor abides by the agreement, the minister promised to conduct two further inspections before 2024 expires.

“We are giving September 2025 as the deadline; by that time, this job should be finished,” he said. Therefore, I will appreciate the instructions I have provided on the filling with sharp sand to design level and the moving across.

It is agreed upon that you should remobilise in at least three sites to ensure effective work. In order to make sure that our agreement is being followed, I’ll return by the end of October and then in November.

“Let me say that the President is highly interested in seeing this road completed as soon as possible. He has instructed that the Chief Executive Officer of the NNPCL and the National Security Adviser meet with me and the contractor, which we have done.

Umahi also praised the contractors for their work thus far and gave the Rivers people assurances that the road would last 50–100 years once it is finished without needing to be maintained or rebuilt.