The Federal Government has revoked a section of the Abuja-Kaduna highway contract being handled by Julius Berger.

Daily Trust reports that the contract was awarded to Julius Berger in 2018 when former President Muhammadu Buhari was in power.

While the Kaduna-Zaria section has been completed and Zaria-Kano section almost done, the Abuja-Kaduna section has recorded 27 percent progress in 6 years.

Speaking during the inauguration of rehabilitation of the highway on Thursday, Minister of Works, Sen. David Umahi, accused Julius Berger of playing politics with the project.

He said the company was seeking for N1.5trn for the project but it was reviewed to N740bn by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

“Berger said to do this entire job, it needs N1.5tr, we started negotiation since September last year writing letters every week. Eventually, we told them that despite the ones they are requesting, it will still take them four years to complete as there have been traffic jam and kidnapping on the road.”

“We presented the option of balkanising the road into three which the President approved. When we did that, Berger accepted it and the rate. But we did not know they were playing games by continue to play delay tactics and at that time their side was N710bn, both completed and those to be done. Later, they came back that they wanted an increase to N740bn, we went to FEC and they gave approval only for them last week to say they need another increase to N903bn.

“Even if we accept it, other contractors will want the same and it will increase the project to about N4bn per kilometre which is on asphalt. Our position is that we are not increasing this project for Julius Berger beyond N740bn, the game is over. If they are not doing it, we will give it those that will do it on the same quality of the coaster road at a cheaper rate. They have put the project into politics, so they are using it to de-market our administration and we say enough is enough.”

He stated that the road which is 375km dualised (750km) will see the addition of 7.5 kilometers in Kogi and Kano States.

Speaking earlier, the ministry ‘s Director of Highway Construction, Engr. Bakare, said the project was de-scoped while the outstanding sections of the project were re-awarded to Dangote and BUA.

He said the length of the road to be constructed by Dangote is 38 kilometre dual within the section one and will cost N145bn with a 14 months completion date.

Similarly, the project which was formerly funded by the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF), will now be paid for through the Tax Credit Scheme.

tundegan:
The game is over.

When a contractor starts playing with timelines and costs, it is time to look elsewhere.

Glad the FG is taking steps to ensure the roads are built.

Salewa97:
Toh

The contract was politicized by Julius Berger, they would be replaced with those who can do the job without playing unnecessary politics

Beverlyjean:
They should better pay it...infact julius Berger should increase it to the initial 1.5 T or even more ...afterall that's how they have been increasing fuel for us ... JB...pls ride on...no gree for them...FEC should go to the streets and protest

Salewa97:
Toh

The contract was politicized by Julius Berger, they would be replaced with those who can do the job without playing unnecessary politics

Beverlyjean:
They should better pay it...infact julius Berger should increase it to the initial 1.5 T or even more ...afterall that's how they have been increasing fuel for us ... JB...pls ride on...no gree for them...FEC should go to the streets and protest

tundegan:
The game is over.

When a contractor starts playing with timelines and costs, it is time to look elsewhere.

Glad the FG is taking steps to ensure the roads are built.