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SPECIAL GUEST OF HONOUR, CHIEF MIKE OZEKHOME, SAN; GOV NYESOM EZENWO WIKE, CON; JULIUS BERGER MD, ENGR. DR. LARS RICHTER AND JULIUS BERGER REGIONAL MGR ENGR. JUERGEN FISCHER AND OTHERS AT THE COMMISSIONING OF THE GRA FLYOVER IN PORT HARCOURT, RECENTLY
It was excitement galore across Rivers State capital city, Port Harcourt last week as newly constructed and rehabilitated flyovers and roads were commissioned amidst pomp and pageantry even as the Managing Director, Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, Engr. Dr. Lars Richter expressed the company’s appreciation to the government and people of the state for the confidence reposed in Julius Berger as the contractor to deliver the projects.
The commissioned projects include the new Rumuola and GRA flyovers as well as the newly reconstructed and freshly dualized Ezimgbu road and Tombia road extension, in Port Harcourt.
At the commissioning of the Rumuola flyover project, the special guest of honour, former Ondo State governor, Dr. Rahman Mimiko had kind words for Julius Berger saying that, “I congratulate Julius Berger for another clear proof of your ability to deliver good jobs, and on schedule….Well done Julius Berger.”
Governor Wike on his part, praised Julius Berger for beating the project delivery date and added that, “with this flyover completed and delivered on schedule, Julius Berger has continued to prove to us that it can take on any construction and engineering job. We paid them and they delivered on time. No delay, no story.” In a further robust show of satisfaction and appreciation of the excellent way the company constructed and delivered the project as contracted and funded, the Governor during his speech at the ceremony, personally called up the Julius Berger Managing Director Engr. Dr. Lars Richter for recognition to a warm applause by the equally appreciative audience.
At the event, Managing Director of Julius Berger recalled the very good professional input of the company in delivering for their clients and added that, “what we have achieved here is the premium Julius Berger standard, and as a progressive technical policy and corporate promise, it will only get better with each succeeding project.”
The second project commissioned was the GRA Flyover which connects two Local Government Areas, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, PHALGA and Obio-Akpor Local Government Area. The project is a major transit link for commercial and related purposes, and to solve traffic issues that often arose before the construction of the flyover. It is for the foregoing reasons according to the state government that “we got Julius Berger to come in to do the job.”
Governor Wike said when the construction started, some people said the project will not be completed. But he added, “today we have succeeded with the commissioning of this 5th flyover. The 6th will be around the end of this month and will be commissioned January ending….With Julius Berger, we are successfully completing and commissioning every awarded project on schedule, and even ahead of schedule. I am happy with the contractors, because they have done a great job. I hardly supervise Julius Berger’s works because they are very good with their works. With Julius Berger on site, I can go home and sleep. I can’t stop thanking you”. Governor Wike further added: “…look at what Julius Berger has done; it is fine. Nobody stopped their work one day for any reason and therefore, there was no contract variation requests. We pay Julius Berger as and when due and they deliver and we are happy.”
The Special Guest Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN who commissioned the flyover also added his voice to the deluge of praises for Julius Berger saying, “as you go round the city, the huge construction site that Port Harcourt has become is dominated by Julius Berger. The construction company is a reliable contractor that works and does not give anyone sleepless nights.”
In his remarks at the GRA flyover event, the Julius Berger Managing Director, Engr. Richter recalled that the contract for the job was awarded in 2020 with a completion period of 12 months adding, “We completed it on schedule”. Richter also expressed appreciation to members of the local community for their understanding and harmonious cooperation despite the obvious inconveniences they had to endure while the construction works lasted. Richter again thanked the Rivers State Government for the confidence it reposed in Julius Berger as the trusted contractor to deliver the GRA flyover for the beneficial use of the people.
At the Ezimgbu road commissioning exercise, Governor Wike said: “for the record, three roads were awarded the same day to Julius Berger. Last Saturday we commissioned a flyover, today Ezimgbu road is being commissioned and then tomorrow, Tombia road Extension will be commissioned. You can see the capacity of Julius Berger to work on three projects simultaneously and deliver on schedule. That is why we are happy. Thank you Julius Berger.”
Representative of the Managing Director and Regional Manager, South, Engr. Jürgen Fischer thanked the Government of Rivers State for the opportunity given the company to contribute its professionalism to deliver infrastructures in the state; adding that, “our Board and executive management are grateful to you for your confidence in Julius Berger.” Engr. Fischer also expressed his appreciation to both the host community and the JBN project team, the latter of which was led by Engr, Therna for the peaceful and successful execution of the project.
The Tombia road Extension commissioning was by no means any different as Governor Wike commended Julius Berger for a job well done.
Enugu state governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuwanyi who was the special guest at the event also acknowledged and praised “Julius Berger’s professional work.”
All through the commissioning that spanned five days, traditional rulers and leaders of thought, youth and women organizations in Rivers State and from across the country including former and serving Governors, ministers, Senators and members of the National Assembly among others were present.