Construction giant, Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, has denied media reports that it had shuts down operations in the Federal Capital Territory over security concerns.
The Regional Manager of the company, Mr. Oliver Berger, described the report as untrue, insisting that Julius Berger remains a partner in the development of the Abuja project and as such would not abandon the territory and its people.
Berger told a team of management staff of the Federal Capital Development Authority who were on an inspection tour of ongoing projects in the city that the company believes in the vision of the FCT and it is fully on ground working to deliver on the critical infrastructural projects awarded to it by the FCT Administration.
His words, “We are in full swing here, on all our sites in Abuja. As the Executive Secretary has mentioned, we are all partners. We are here with the people on ground from FCDA. We work really hand-in-hand to get as much as possible work done in the shortest time. Of course, with the quality you expect from Julius Berger, value for money is our slogan and we will provide the best quality for fair prices and deliver on the agreed period.”
He continued, “I am happy to see, in the Federal Secretariat, you know when the foundation is good, the building itself and when structure stand well, you can use the building for many years. When it dilapidates, you can refurbish it and, in a few months, you have a new building again. So, we are happy to be part of that historic change. We are partners and we will continue like that”.
Executive Secretary of the FCDA, Engr. Shehu Ahmad, said the tour was a routine one aimed at assessing the level of work done by the company to ensure that it commensurate with the fund released by the government.
Ahmad further stated that the whole idea of the visit was to be properly informed about the progress of work on site; disclosing that the project, from Ring Road I, connecting the B12, L21 and M14 roads in the Central Business District, Abuja, by the American Embassy is being funded from the SUKUK fund.
He said the team also visited the ongoing renovation work at the Federal Secretariat Complex, Phase I being handled by Julius Berger, to enable stakeholders to appreciate the quality of work being done.
According to him, enormous work is being done by Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, although, FCDA is not surprised because the company has remained a dependable technical partner in the Abuja Project.
The Executive Secretary expressed surprise at the news making rounds on the social media that FCDA sites have been closed. He explained that most disheartening is the alleged closure of construction sites by Julius Berger; insisting however, that none of its sites have been closed.
“Well, I don’t know whether there are other sites outside Abuja but there is no time, we closed our sites. This has been an ongoing project all through, and at no time have we closed any of our sites. The purpose of our visit is to ascertain the progress of work achieved, and, of course, to establish our milestone,” the ES emphasized.
