Gov. Wike Attacks Traffic Congestion Head-on, Signs Agreement With Julius Berger On N216b Bridge Construction
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 the solution to the traffic congestion in the city.
The state Attorney-General, Dr Zaccheus Adango led officials of the Rivers 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.
Speaking after the signing the agreement, Governor, Nyesom Wike declared that the Flyover Bridges will be completed within 16months and in line with approved specifications.
He said that the Rivers State Government would pay 70percent of the contract sum to ensure that the contractor executed the three flyover bridges on schedule.
He said: “These three flyover bridges will be completed within 16months as agreed with the contractor. This contract will cost about N21billion.
“We are going to pay 70percent of the contract sum upfront. After payment, we expect Julius Berger to give us the required quality and on schedule “.
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 70percent 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 from 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.
