The Rivers State Government has strongly refuted claims that construction firm Julius Berger Nigeria PLC has begun pulling out from project sites in the state due to alleged non-payment by the government.
In a statement issued by Mr. Hector Igbikiowubo, Senior Special Adviser on Media to the state government, the report was described as misleading, malicious, and a deliberate distortion of facts aimed at damaging the administration’s reputation.
“The Rivers State Government has consistently fulfilled its contractual obligations to all contractors, including Julius Berger,” the statement read.
“Since the declaration of Emergency Rule in the state, Julius Berger has received all payments due.”
According to the government, the motive behind the false report stems from pressure to approve an inflated variation request related to the ongoing Ring Road project.
Details provided by the state include:
The original contract value for the Ring Road project was ₦195.7 billion.
Julius Berger submitted a variation request seeking an additional ₦171.8 billion, an 87.77% increase.
If approved, the total project cost would rise to ₦367.5 billion.
The government noted that to protect public funds and prevent arbitrary cost increases, it secured a bank facility at the project’s inception and paid ₦150 billion—representing 77% of the total original contract sum—as an advance to Julius Berger.
The statement emphasized that the Rivers State Government remains committed to infrastructure development and financial responsibility, and will not yield to any campaign of pressure or misinformation.