KEY POINTS

• Julius Berger apologizes, Senate’s withdraws arrest warrant.
• Payment issues, forex volatility and right of way constraints are the causes of the delay, Julius Berger said.
• Senate believes in accountability and efficiency, within the pubilc projects.

The Senate has resolved its dispute with Julius Berger Nigeria Plc after the construction giant wrote an apology for its failure to respect previous invitations.

Speaking on plenary on Monday, Senate President Godswill Akpabio read the apology, drawing the warrant of arrest issued against Julie Berger Managing Director, Dr. Peer Lubasch, dated December 2009.

The dispute started after the Senate summoned Julius Berger to explain the abandonment of the Odukpani-to-Ikot Ekpene road project and breach of contract from N54 billion to N195 billion.

Julius Berger’s explanation & apology

According to a letter sent to the Senate President by Julius Berger, the delays are as a result of factors, including forex volatility, delayed federal payments and right of way issues. The reason for missing previous invitations the company gave was a leadership transition.

The letter, signed by Dr. Peer Lubasch and Director of Administration Dr. Abdulaziz Isa Kaita, stated:
“We will continue to work with the National Assembly and the Federal Government to access projects that will benefit Nigerians and also tackle infrastructural and other challenges in the country and create jobs.”

The Senate accepted an apology dated January 10, 2025 from Julius Berger unanimously and by voice vote following which the investigative panel directed the company to appear for further discussions.

Senates raises the accountablity

“One of the important things in handling public projects is efficiency, transparency and accountability,” said Senator Barinada Mpigi, Chair, Senate Committee on Works. Julius Berger and other contractors, he warned, to avoid taking disputes to abandonment or legal action.

“Nigerians expect results. Mpigi said we are determined to recover taxpayers’ money and projects are done effective.

Other senators who include Asuquo Ekpeyong and Seriake Dickson, also reiterated that contractors should have good relationship with the National Assembly and should not be embarking on any project that will cause a delay in the welfare of citizens.

Julius Berger’s commitment

However, the company took a pledge to complete projects promptly, Dr. Peer Lubasch assured the Senate. Julius Berger, he noted, has a track record of 43 years of employing more than 10,000 direct and 150,000 indirect workers in Nigeria.

The resolution of this dispute is made more relevant because of the need for the accountability and cooperation between contractors and government authorities to deal with Nigeria’s infrastructural challenges.