Julius Berger, one of the contractors reconstructing the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, may abandon the work because of non payment by the federal government
The company has already removed men and materials from its rehabilitation of the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway for the same reason.
It was learnt that since the official flag-off of the rebuilding of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway by former President Goodluck Jonathan about two years ago, the government has only paid Julius Berger once.
The management has reportedly agreed that the company should leave the site until a substantial amount is paid.
A senior employee told TheNiche that the work would stop if new money is not put on the table after a meeting with the permanent secretary of the Federal Ministry of Works.
“We don’t go beyond the scope of work of whatever we are paid,” another source in the company insisted.
However, the Director of Private Partnership Programme (PPP) in the ministry, Babatunde Ekunsunmi, said Julius Berger is not planning to abandon the job.
His words: “It is true that the government owes Julius Berger but it is not true that the company intends to abandon site.
“I cannot imagine a situation where the company would want to do a thing like that. We are very sure that with the kind of relationship we have with the company it would never contemplate abandoning site because of non payment of contract sum.”
According to him, the lull in the reconstruction is due to the rainy season, as no contractor would want to do any serious work during the rainy season.
Ekunsunmi expressed optimism that the work would resume in full as soon as rain subsides.
He appealed to motorists and commuters to exercise patience as the government will complete the road within the 48-month period given by the administration of Jonathan.
He enthused that all hands would be on deck to ensure speedy completion as soon as a new works minister is appointed.
Bisi Agbonyin, the Director of Press in the ministry, also denied that Julius Berger plans to abandon site, saying nothing of such was discussed at the last meeting between officials of the ministry and the company’s management.
He, however, admitted that the ministry owes the company but the debt would soon be paid.
The ministry’s Director of Highways (South West), John Ibe, could not be reached for comment as he was said to be on an official trip outside the country.
