The House of Representatives Committee on Works has expressed doubt over the competences of Julius Berger to effectively deliver on the rehabilitation of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria road, while also handling other of such projects around the country.
The House, in about a fortnight ago, passed a resolution directing the committee to interface with the company over the traffic gridlock on some segments of the road, occasioned by construction works, after concerns were raised on the development.
The committee after the interaction made its position known on Thursday, through its chairman, Hon. Kabir Abubakar, stating the Federal Ministry of Works, Julius Berger, and the Federal Road Safety Corps have been advised to work together, to ensure sanity and security on the road.
The company had during the meeting admitted to having been paid about N50.86 billion, representing 32 percent of the total contract sum, with the status of execution put at 26.7 percent, having spent 18 out of the 36 months delivery target.
The committee while resolving to summon the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), to provide it with details of all payments made to Julius Berger as well the justification for the same, also expressed reservations on the feasibility of the company meeting up the target.
“The committee doubts strongly the capacity of Julius Berger Nigeria PLC to deliver the remaining 73.3 percent in the next 18 months”, the committee stated in the position paper signed by its chairman.
It said, “in view of the above, the committee directs the federal ministry of works and housing to consider the option of involving other contractors to handle different sections of the road to ensure the project is completed on the time and save lives and property.”
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