BERGER DISPELS RUMOUR OF SITES’ CLOSURE, AS FCDA INSPECTS ONGOING PROJECTS
Executive Secretary, FCDA, Engr. Shehu Hadi Ahmad & Regional Manager, Julius Berger, Mr. Oliver Berger during an inspection tour of projects in Abuja
By: Ben Ukeji & Prudence Okonna
Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, one of the construction firms based in the nation’s capital Abuja, has refuted speculations making around that it shut down operations in the Federal Capital Territory over security concerns.
In a statement signed by the Director, Information and Communication, FCT, Muhammad Hazat Sule, said the company described the news of its closing sites in Abuja on social media as untrue; insisting that it is a partner in the development of the Abuja project and as such, would not abandon the Territory and its people.
Regional Manager, Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, Mr. Oliver Berger, stated this during an inspection visit by the Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Engr. Shehu Hadi Ahmad, who led other management staff on an inspection tour of the ongoing projects Wednesday, in Abuja.
Berger said 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 Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).
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 stands 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. Therefore, we are happy to be part of that historic change. We are partners and we will continue like that”.
Speaking during the tour, the Executive Secretary, FCDA, Engr. Shehu Hadi Ahmad said the tour was a routine one aimed at assessing the level of work done by the company to ensure that it was commensurate with the fund released by the government.
Engr. 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 going around in social media that FCDA Sites have been closed, explaining that most disheartening is the alleged closure of construction sites by Julius Berger; insisting, however, that none of its sites have been closed.
