OFFICE OF THE HONORABLE MINISTER OF WORKS


PRESS RELEASE
9th July 2024

FG AGREES WITH JULIUS BERGER ON ALTERNATIVE FUNDING STRUCTURES FOR CONSTRUCTION OF LOKOJA-SHINTAKU BRIGDE IN KOGI STATE.

1. As part of the creative solutions to the financing gaps in road infrastructure development and the innovative perspective of thinking outside the box by the Renewed Hope administration of *His Excellency, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR*, the Honourable Minister of Works, *His Excellency, Sen Engr. Nweze David Umahi, CON* has concluded discussions with Julius Berger Plc on alternative financing structures for the construction of Lokoja-Shintaku bridge in Kogi State. This was part of the decision reached during the meeting he held with the representative of Julius Berger Plc and Business Development Strategist, Filipe Nuno Lopes, and the development partners - Deutsche Bank representated by the Director Structured Trade & Export Finance Middle East & Africa, Humaya Harati. and the bank's Chief Country Representative Nigeria, Andreas Voss at the Honourable Minister's office, Mabushi-Abuja on 9th July 2024.

2. The Honourable Minister said that the step was part of the measures of the Ministry in bridging the gap in road infrastructure funding. He expressed hope that with the immense financing capacity, relationships , and lengthy records of the firm in arranging financing for projects in the African continent, the project target will be accomplished. He emphasized the need for the timeline for the procurement process to be streamlined so that construction of the project can start and be completed on a record time. He described the discussion as a credible path to the eventual financing of the project.

3. In his speech, the representative of Julius Berger Plc and team lead, Mr. Filipe, assured that with the certificate of no objection issued by the Bureau of Public Procurement to the single source procurement of the bridge from Julius Berger Plc, the Lokoja- Shintaku project would be moved forward. The meeting was successful as it advanced discussions around project development and potential funding options.

Hon. Barr. Orji Uchenna Orji
Special Adviser ( Media) to the Honorable Minister of Works

FG don finally hear word and dey ready to support Julius Berger to build dat bridge for Lokojashintaku.

Good move....development can run concurrently with the public private partnership

FG making sensible decisions and working with reputable companies like Julius Berger to improve our infrastructure, well done Tinubu for leading the way!

Looks like the Fg has finally found their way out of traffic and onto the bridge with Julius Berger.