The Rivers State Government has firmly denied recent reports claiming that Julius Berger Nigeria Plc has started withdrawing from its construction projects in the state. The government described these allegations as false, misleading, and a deliberate attempt to tarnish its reputation.
In a statement issued on Friday by Hector Igbikiowubo, Senior Special Adviser on Media to the Rivers State Government, the publication that circulated the rumor was condemned as “malicious” and a “deliberate misrepresentation of facts.”
“The Rivers State Government, under the leadership of His Excellency, Vice Admiral (Rtd), Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, strongly condemns the misleading and malicious publication titled ‘Julius Berger withdraws from Rivers’ project sites,’” the statement read.
The report had claimed that Julius Berger was pulling out due to unpaid contract fees. However, the government clarified that “nothing could be farther from the truth” and emphasized that all contractual obligations, including payments to Julius Berger, have been met since the declaration of Emergency Rule in the state.
Addressing the issue of contract variations, the statement revealed that Julius Berger had submitted a request for an additional ₦171.76 billion, representing an 87.77% increase over the original ₦195.7 billion contract for the Ring Road project. Approval of this variation would raise the total project cost to ₦367.45 billion.
The government explained that to avoid such exorbitant claims, it had secured a bank facility and paid a 77% advance of ₦150 billion to Julius Berger at the start of the project.
“The real motive behind misinformation, this baseless report is nothing more than a campaign of calumny orchestrated after failed attempts to pressure the Rivers State Government into approving an exorbitant and unjustified variation request for the ongoing Ring Road project,” the statement concluded.
