Rivers State Denies Julius Berger’s Alleged Project Withdrawal, Details Contract Payment Status

The Rivers State Government has dismissed as unfounded claims that Julius Berger Nigeria Plc has withdrawn from its construction sites within the state. The government labeled the reports as “malicious” and a “deliberate misrepresentation of facts.”

The viral publication suggested that Julius Berger was pulling out due to unpaid contract fees. However, in a statement signed by Senior Special Adviser on Media, Hector Igbikiowubo, the government refuted this narrative, stating: “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 emphasized that Julius Berger has been paid all due sums since the Emergency Rule was declared in Rivers State. “Nothing could be farther from the truth,” it added.

Regarding the Ring Road project, the government disclosed that Julius Berger had requested a contract variation amounting to ₦171.76 billion, an 87.77% increase over the original contract sum of ₦195.7 billion. If granted, this would push the total cost to ₦367.45 billion.

To mitigate such financial pressures, the government had secured a bank facility and paid a 77% advance of ₦150 billion to Julius Berger at the project’s outset.

The government accused the report of being a calculated attempt to damage its reputation after failing to secure approval for the steep variation request.