Julius Berger: Expanding Port Harcourt's Economy through Infrastructure

. Heart of Obio-Akpor, Port Harcourt today

River’s State joins the list of states where Julius Berger Nigeria Plc has brought progress through transformational infrastructure that supports the social and economic development of the state and its communities. For close to one decade of partnering for development, the numerous results shine like a million stars across the state.

From one completed flyover to the another and from one completed road project to the another, the country’s leading engineering construction company, Julius Berger, continues to exhibit resourceful, qualitative and innovative leadership in the country’s engineering construction sector as they accomplish a series of major infrastructural development projects well ahead of their scheduled delivery dates for commissioning by the Rivers State Government.

For instance, many have yet to forget one full week in 2022, where it largely became a daily festival of projects commissioning as well as groundbreaking and flag-off ceremonies of several new infrastructural development projects in the Rivers State Capital by immediate past state Governor, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike.

From the records, the round of commissioning successfully executed and completed projects commenced on Monday, March 1 that year, with the inauguration for public use of the Okoro-Nu-Odo Flyover. The Special Guest of Honour at the event, the former Governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke, commissioned the project, which was built in record time of 14 months, ahead of its schedule of 16 months completion date.

In the morning of the 2^nd day of the projects commissioning, the Rivers State Government, inside the Council Chambers of the Government House, again signed another contract with Julius Berger Nigeria Plc for the construction of two more Flyovers (Flyovers 7 and 8) in the state capital, Port Harcourt.

Of note was the fact that the Rumuogba 1 and 2 Flyovers constructed and also completed by Julius Berger ahead of schedule was formally inaugurated by the State Government for public use with former Governor of Kano State, Engr. Dr. Rabiu Kwankwaso as the Special Guest of Honour.

The next day of same week, 3^rd March, the then Governor Ezenwo Nyesom Wike also commissioned two GRA Phase 2 roads, Tombia and Opobo Crescents, constructed and completed by Julius Berger Nigeria Plc. The Guest of Honour at the commissioning of the two roads was the former Governor of Katsina State, Alhaji (Barrister) Ibrahim Shehu Shema.

On the evening of Thursday 4^th March, Governor Wike commissioned a state-of-the-art Government House Clinic as well as a new ultra-modern Administrative Building, both of which were constructed by Julius Berger. The Special Guest of Honour at the ceremony was the former Kwara State Governor and erstwhile President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Bukola Olusola Saraki.

On Friday 5^th March, Governor Wike performed the groundbreaking and flagging-off ceremony of a new Flyover project, the Nkpolu-Oroworukwo Flyover to be constructed by the indefatigable and reliable Julius Berger. The South-South Zonal Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Dan Orbih, was the Special Guest of Honour of the Governor at that ceremony.

On Saturday, 6^th March, Governor Wike invited the former Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Chief (Sir) Celestine Ngozichim Omehia, to flag-off yet another major infrastructural project, the Orochiri/Wurukwo Flyover at Waterlines junction, Aba road, Port Harcourt to be constructed by Julius Berger.

In all, no fewer than 12 flyovers were constructed by Julius Berger amidst thousands of kilometres of roads.

Worthy of note is that the foregoing projects and others not mentioned here, have since been completed and handed over to the State government for use by the ever appreciative people of the state.

It must be recalled that the company’s lasting engineering construction quality was extolled by each speaker at all the events with the then Rivers State Governor also pouring encomiums on Julius Berger for its speed in delivering the projects months ahead of originally scheduled deadlines in spite of the clear challenges of the then ravaging Covid-19 pandemic. And even post-pandemic dispensation, the construction company continues to identify with the need of the state government to deliver quality infrastructure to the people in record time. The record commissioning of the Mgbuoba/Ozuoba and Ada George Road Flyover in Obio/Akpor easily comes to mind.

That the then incoming state Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, who was present at that historic event, joined to celebrate Julius Berger’s mastery of its work was instructive. Hear him: …this is a masterpiece constructed by the doyen of quality infrastructure in Nigeria, Julius Berger Plc.

Weeks later, the new state Governor was to award the ongoing greater Port Harcourt Ring Road to Julius Berger amidst high expectations.

Expanding Port Harcourt’s Economy
Communities across the suburbs of Port Harcourt are now looking ahead with anticipation, as Julius Berger spearheads the construction of the vital connecting ring road.

Julius Berger has recently published on their social media, that “Upon completion, this visionary project will facilitate seamless access to the Rivers State capital and its connecting road arteries for local communities, bringing necessary connectivity, shorter commutes, and greater economic prospects. Each milestone achieved symbolizes a partnership for progress that champions excellence and collective growth in Port Harcourt’s evolving landscape.”

Even as the construction work is now vigorously in progress, a lot of commercial activities are springing up. From the itinerant vendors of light stuffs to makeshift shops for some form of commercial activities are on.

Ogbonna Nwachukwu, who described himself as Original Pitakwa Boy told this writer that, we trust Julius Berger too much. The speed with which they are working on this Ring Road is something else. Many of us are positioning ourselves ahead of the completion of the road to enable us take advantage of the new lease of life and business opportunities it will bring.

No doubt, the enduring trust between the Rivers State government and Julius Berger understandably is for the progress and development of the state. It is loaded with a lot of promises for both partners.

And only recently, while commissioning the completed Emohua-Kalabari Road project, the new Governor while describing the construction company as understanding and patriotic, had this to say about Julius Berger: ..let me also say it here, maybe, Julius Berger Nigeria PLC was being economical with their presentation. On my table as I am talking to you, there is a request for variation of the cost of this project. This is because, as at the time this project was awarded, and while the project was on-going, there were serious exchange rate differences. But I told them not to worry that they should go ahead and complete this project, and I assured them that we will sort them out and they accepted.

With the successful completion and handing over of the roads and bridges projects to Rivers state government, Julius Berger has no doubt contributed to connecting communities, expanding the business landscape, and fostering unity among the people of the state.

For instance, the Amyanabo of Abonnema Kingdom did not mince words at the commissioning of the Emohua-Kalabari road to declare that, the fears and insecurities of the past is gone. The long hours of commuting between this community and the state capital and indeed other nearby communities is gone. Today, we celebrate the reconnection that we long sought for.

Indeed, the infrastructural development in the state brought about by Julius Berger’s construction know-how remains a transformative initiative that aims to improve transportation and connectivity across the state.