Tag: Julius Berger

After more than a decade of suppressed activity, the management of Centenary City Free Zone Enterprises has engaged Julius Berger Nigeria Plc to provide infrastructure for the Abuja Centenary City project. 

The announcement signals the resumption of work on one of Nigeria’s most ambitious urban development initiatives.

Speaking at a briefing in Abuja, the Managing Director of Centenary City Free Zone Enterprises, Dr. Odenigwe Ike Michaels Jr., said Julius Berger has been contracted to handle the Phase 1 Primary Infrastructure, valued at N750 billion. 

He explained that the infrastructure works will be executed in lots, with Lot 1 covering the 4.3-kilometre Plot Access Road and secondary infrastructure for The Grove Residences, The Safari Park Residences, and The Ridge Villas.

According to him, Messers Dar Al-Handasah Consultants (DAR), the international firm that coordinated the original master plan of the city, has been retained to execute the Detailed Engineering Design of the entire project.

“After a pause in the development and construction, the project is now back on track with the promise to redefine sub-Saharan Africa’s skyline and enhance Nigeria’s global standing in urban development,” Dr. Michaels said.

He described the Centenary City as a transformative initiative conceived as Abuja’s foremost urban renewal project. “The project presents a great opportunity to create value and raise Abuja’s profile – to encourage international investment in Abuja, as the project is designed to work in harmony with nature,” he added.

Michaels further stated that the city’s districts and communities are designed to integrate with the natural landscape, combining a striking downtown skyline with serene suburban living. 

He explained that the master plan envisions a multifunctional development that will provide a complete cosmopolitan lifestyle while also serving as a tourism hub for the wider community.

Key components of the project include Five-Star Hotels, Luxury Serviced Apartments and Residences, an International Commerce Centre, the Centenary International Convention Center, and the Mall of Africa. Other features will include a Championship Golf Course and Golf Estate, Championship Polo Courses and Estate, Nigeria Park, Safari Park, Industrial Park, African Arts Museum, Entertainment District, Amusement Park, as well as modern healthcare and educational facilities.

The management of Centenary City Free Zone Enterprises also acknowledged the support of government officials who have backed the revival of the project. They commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Nyesom Wike, for encouraging sustainable development in Abuja, and the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, for his support in advancing modern urban renewal efforts.

“We are proud of our long-standing partnership with Julius Berger and DAR and are committed to working with their expert teams to begin and finalize the primary infrastructure of Centenary Economic City Free Zone in line with the Board of Directors’ vision to provide state-of-the-art infrastructure as well as seamless, safe, and sustainable smart city solutions,” Dr. Michaels said.

Estimated at $18 billion, the Centenary City project is a private sector-driven smart city designed to be modeled after Dubai, Monaco, and Singapore. When completed, it will feature luxury hotels, residential units, commercial spaces, shopping malls, cultural institutions, entertainment options, and sports facilities with the aim of positioning Abuja as a global destination for investment and lifestyle.

• Senate Committee inspects projects

The contractor handling the Bodo-Bonny Road project in Rivers State, Julius Berger, at the weekend promised  to deliver the job in December.

It was during an inspection by the Senate Committee on Works.

The Committee, led by its Chairman, Senator Barinada Mpigi, noted the challenges involved in the building of the 38km road especially the area’s marshy, muddy and swampy terrain.

The senators observed that the project was making significant projects and that 5km of the road was already asphalted and critical bridges completed, linking the mainland to Bonny Island.

Senator Mpigi expressed satisfaction with the progress and urged Julius Berger to maintain its reputation as a leading construction company in the country.

He said: “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 also directed Julius Berger to explore ways to complete the asphalt work by December and scheduled September to review the progress of the work.

Mpigi emphasised that the Committee would be closely monitoring the project’s progress, with regular visits to the site.

He said: “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.”

Read Also: Julius Berger intensifies subregion’s expansion 

A member of the Committee, Senator Patrick Ndubueze, noted the difficult terrains of the project, juxtaposing it to similar jobs in other regions with plain land.

He said: “”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.”

In his remarks, the Managing Director of Julius Berger, Peer Lubasch, assured the Committee that the company would complete the Bodo-Bonny road project by December, with adequate financing.

He said the pace of the construction was slow because of the need to allow the soil to settle, given the low-lying marshy area, muddy and swampy soil conditions, and considerable tidal movements.

He noted that despite the challenges, significant progress had been made, with reasonable kilometers of the road already asphalted, emphasising that the road was accessible for vehicles to drive into both the mainland and island.

He said that all critical bridges had also been completed to link the mainland to Bonny Island, adding that the project was approximately 75 to 80 per cent complete.

Lubasch said: “We will endeavour completion of the work by December this year, of course subject to proper financing.”

The Project Manager, Tim Nippeat, confirmed that the company was on track to meet the December deadline.

He said: “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.”

Julius Berger Nigeria Plc has reaffirmed its determination to become a major force in West Africa’s infrastructure development, leveraging its expertise to drive sustainable growth across multiple markets.  

The construction giant is intensifying its expansion strategy, with a particular focus on the Francophone countries in the region, where economic stability and a shared currency present significant advantages for long-term investments, the company’s Director of Corporate Development, Jochen Stolle, said.

According to him, the company aims to capitalize on economic stability and shared currency benefits while deepening its involvement in infrastructure development across the subregion, 

Speaking at the Choiseul Africa Summit in Cotonou, Benin Republic, Stolle emphasized Julius Berger’s long-term vision for regional growth, recognizing the company as one of the big players coming out of this region in the future while highlighting the company’s ambition to establish a strong foothold beyond Nigeria.  

The summit, co-sponsored by Julius Berger co-sponsored the summit with the Government of Benin backing brought together more than 350 economic leaders, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to discuss regional economic strategies. 

Read Also: Julius Berger gets PCC pass mark

Stolle pointed out the advantages of expanding into Francophone West Africa, citing economic stability as a major draw. 

“I think the Francophone region of Africa has the greatest advantage; they have the common currency; they have a stable currency. This will also give Julius Berger the trust and the face of good development in this region,” he explained.  

The President of Choiseul Africa, Pascal Lorot, acknowledged Benin’s growing economic importance, describing the country as a rising hub for regional trade and investment. 

“Benin today embodies an ambitious Africa that is firmly focused on the future. With its stability, modern infrastructure, and strategic positioning, it stands out as a market of opportunities and expertise, as well as a key hub for regional economic exchanges,” he said.  

Julius Berger’s Regional Representative in Cotonou, Christophe Fierens, reinforced the company’s commitment to integrating into the Francophone business environment. He noted that operating in Benin required adjustments, given the different regulatory and administrative landscape compared to Nigeria. 

“As a company with strong roots in Nigeria, we’ve had to adapt to the nuances of the Francophone business environment—navigating regulatory processes, understanding administrative expectations, and ensuring seamless operations,” Fierens said.  

He added that the company had gained valuable experience since launching operations in Benin, saying, “With the second project now being undertaken, things are getting better. We now know what to do, what not to do. The feedback has been valuable”.  

Fierens emphasized that adhering to the company’s standards remains central to its approach as it expands into new markets, saying, “We’ve gained valuable insights and are now fully aligned with how things work here”.  

The Commissioner of the Public Complaints Commission (PCC) has commended Julius Berger Nigeria Plc for its adherence to regulations, highlighting the company’s impressive record of operating without public complaints.

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Commissioner of the agency, Hon. Musa Dikko, who acknowledged the strong working relationship between the PCC and Julius Berger during a courtesy visit to the company’s headquarters on Wednesday, highlighted the construction company’s excellence in construction and labour relations.

Noting the company’s approach to compensation for affected individuals at project sites, particularly in the FCT, also emphasized its fairness and efficiency, saying, “Our joy is that every construction done by Julius Berger Nigeria Plc is nearly perfect. I say ‘nearly’ because they say no one is perfect.

“Each time compensation is required, my parents and our people always feel at ease because Julius Berger’s approach is different from other construction companies.

Read Also: I will no longer look for trouble – Portable 

“This long-standing commitment has ensured that no complaints have been brought to the Public Complaints Commission regarding the company’s conduct. Where there is no peace there can be no development, and for this, Julius Berger deserves an award.”

The Commission’s State Director of Investigation, Irene Ogbogu, also commended the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives and its adherence to due diligence.

In response, the Director of Administration at Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Alh. Dr. Abdulaziz Kaita acknowledged the productive partnership between the company and the PCC. He reaffirmed Julius Berger’s dedication to maintaining regulatory compliance and protecting workers’ and communities’ rights.

“As a company, we have always strived to operate within legal and ethical guidelines. Our cooperation with the PCC has been beneficial to both parties, and we will continue to support the Commission’s mandate of protecting the rights of the people and ensuring compliance,” he noted.

Kaita further emphasized the company’s responsibility as a major employer in the construction industry.

“Being a major employer of labour requires us to be diligent in the protection of our workers and the citizens. We have internal policies which we abide by, and I can assure you that Julius Berger Nigeria Plc will ensure everything is done through the due process,” he assured.

Construction giant, Julius Berger Nigeria (JBN) Plc, yesterday apologised to the Senate for its failure to appear last year before its Committee on Works, despite numerous invitations.

The apology prompted the Senate to vacate its proposed warrant of arrest against the construction company.

JBN also praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his leadership and vision, saying these are the needed enablers for social and economic advancement.

On Tuesday, December 12, 2024, the Senate mandated its President, Godswill Akpabio, to issue a warrant of arrest to compel JBN’s Managing Director, Dr. Peer Lubasch, to appear before its Committee on Works at a date to be specified by the Red Chamber.

The resolution of the Senate followed its consideration and adoption of a Point of Order moved by Minority Whip Osita Ngwu (PDP, Enugu West) during plenary.

But Lubasch yesterday tendered the apology in a letter JBN addressed to Akpabio, which the Senate President read at plenary.

Read Also: Julius Berger’s Dedication to Community and Stakeholder Satisfaction

He apologised to the Red Chamber, its Works Committee members and praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his administration’s handling of the economy, among others.

The JBN managing director gave an insight into the contracts it is handling and their conditions.

He said: “At Julius Berger, we understand ourselves as partners in Nigeria’s progress, and we are deeply committed to supporting this administration’s aspirations for the benefit of each and every citizen.

“…I understand frustrations that delays and challenges in project delivery may bring. I believe our unquestionable track record of consistent and reliable delivery of major projects since 1965 speaks to our unwavering commitment of project completion in this nation.

Our continual investment in Nigeria reinforces this commitment.”

The managing director assured the committee that JBN “is as interested in Nigeria’s development as the committee we stand before, and continue to put in place every measure to achieve progress”.

He added: “Yet, at times, our progress is hindered by challenges outside our control, especially for overage projects. It’s even more so in recent years due to market realities and pressures from the macro-economic environment.

“Inflation, naira devaluation, higher interest rates and general price increases have introduced extra challenges, resulting in the need to address augmentations to the contract rates to ensure viability of projects, especially for those that are overage.

“This is also the case for the project we have been invited here to discuss – the Odukpani-Itu-Ikot Ekpene Road – where the unit rates were negotiated in 2016 but due to underfunding and serious delays in payment, the project timelines have overstretched.

“On this project, specifically, for example, since 2016 to date, the bitumen costs have increased by 800 per cent, diesel by 700 per cent, cement by 350 per cent, and reinforcement by 600 per cent.

“I don’t want to step into further details here as we are sure to discuss the project during the session.

“Respectfully, I close with a request to the Senate to safeguard the industry as a whole… Actually, the issues we are here to discuss are not unique to the Odukpani-Itu-Ikot Ekpene road or to Julius Berger.

“Specifically to protect due process and adherence to contractual cooperation, a proactive Senate intervention may resolve the challenges and send a strong signal to investors and stakeholders.”

• Construction giant deploys concrete technology to finish job

Julius Berger Nigeria PLC has blamed contractual differences for the delay in the completion of the Bodo-Bonny Road project that was awarded in 2014.

The company said it remained committed to the completion of the remaining sections of the major road with the use of advanced concrete technology and modern equipment.

The Federal Government and Julius Berger Nigeria PLC were locked in prolonged negotiations over the completion of the Bodo-Bonny Road project.

The negotiations culminated in a directive the government issued to the company in April to complete the work before the end of this year, two weeks from today. 

The ultimatum followed Works Minister David Umahi’s rejection of the company’s N28 billion variation demand on the 82 per cent completed project with the government offering N20 billion instead. 

According to a former Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Yakubu Kofarmata, the N199.923 billion contract was initially scheduled for completion by December 2023, with a clause – barring further variations. 

The 39-kilometre road, the first to connect Bonny Island to other parts of Rivers State by land, remains a critical infrastructure project. 

Umahi had warned that if the contractor failed to accept the government’s terms and resume work, the earlier 14-day ultimatum, which had already expired, would be reactivated. 

But Julius Berger’s Media Relations Magaer Emmanuel Isibor explained in a statement on Tuesday that workers were seen last week finalising concrete pavements on both sides of the major road into the island.

Read Also: Senate to issue warrant of arrest against Julius Berger’s MD

The spokesman said the company was constructing state-of-the-art concrete roads inside the oil-rich island, which constitutes the terminal section of the ongoing Bodo-Bonny Road project in Rivers State.

He claimed that last week, workers were putting final touches to the concrete pavements on both sides of the major road while others were laying reinforcement gauze, and later, mixed concrete on the main road.

Isibor said Julius Berger’s site workers were seen constructing rigid concrete pavements and roads using specialised international equipment brought from Wirtgen, Germany.

The statement reads: “With an array of equipment, ranging from mobile concrete batching plant, concrete mixer, concrete pumps, concrete pavers to concrete boom placer, the workers were busy on the job last week.”

He quoted the Project Manager, Tim Nippert, as saying: “We are building about 5.50 kilometres of concrete roads with pavements on this island. The last 5.50 kilometres on this island will have its roads and pavements built on concrete.

“Due to the extremely challenging soil conditions on the main Bodo-Bonny Road and expected long-term settlements of up to 30 centimetres over a period of 30 years, the contract for the job did not ask for concrete construction on the road except for the island roads.

“The Bonny Island roads are part of the Bodo-Bonny Road project contract awarded to Julius Berger Nigeria Plc in 2014. But for contractual differences, the project would have been delivered.”

Last week, a community leader and Chairman of the Bodo-Bonny Road Project Peace Committee, Chief O. R. Longjohn, said: “Julius Berger is doing great on this road.