Julius Berger Vows to Complete Bodo-Bonny Road Project by December
The contractor handling the 38km Bodo-Bonny Road project in Rivers State, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, has assured that the long-awaited infrastructure will be completed by December 2025.
This commitment was made over the weekend during an inspection visit by the Senate Committee on Works, led by its Chairman, Senator Barinada Mpigi. The lawmakers assessed the progress of the project and acknowledged the difficult terrain—marshy, muddy and swampy—that has slowed construction efforts.
The Committee observed that substantial milestones have been achieved, with 5km of road already asphalted and all critical bridges linking the mainland to Bonny Island completed.
Senator Mpigi expressed confidence in the contractor’s ability to deliver and encouraged the company to sustain its track record of excellence.
“We are happy with the progress, but we expect more from Julius Berger, a company we have come to know as a giant in the construction industry.
“We want you to use this Bodo-Bonny road as a sample of your expertise. The Federal Government has made its obligations and now it’s time for delivery.”
The Committee gave a directive to expedite the asphalt work and set a September checkpoint to review progress. Mpigi stressed that the Senate would closely monitor the project to ensure timely and budget-compliant delivery.
“This is not a one-time visit. We will be criss-crossing the Niger Delta to ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget. We want to see the impact of these projects on the lives of Nigerians.”
Senator Patrick Ndubueze also commended the progress, noting the challenges posed by the terrain compared to similar projects in other regions.
“Construction in this area is not the same as in the Southeast. We need to take into account the unique challenges of this project and ensure that we get it right.”
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Julius Berger’s Managing Director, Peer Lubasch, confirmed that the project was about 75 to 80 percent complete and emphasized that the construction pace was influenced by the need for the swampy soil to settle properly.
“We will endeavour completion of the work by December this year, of course subject to proper financing.”
Project Manager Tim Nippeat added that they were on track to meet the deadline.
“The progress of the entire scope of the work, which we have got since 2017 up till now and what we want to complete by the end of this year, is today more than 75 per cent. We are very close to 80 per cent completion.”
