By Abbanobi -Eku Onyekachi
Abuja
In a recent development, the Senate has given Julius Berger Nigeria Plc a reprieve by lifting the warrant of arrest issued against its Managing Director, Engr Peer Lubasch. The warrant was issued due to Lubasch’s failure to appear before the Senate Committee on Works to explain the company’s role in abandoned projects ¹.
The Senate had issued the warrant on December 12, 2024, following a motion by Senate Minority Whip, Senator Osita Ngwu (PDP Enugu West). The motion was co-sponsored by Senators Asuquo Ekpenyong (APC Cross River South) and Mpigi Barinada (PDP Rivers South East).
In a related development, Julius Berger has reaffirmed its commitment to delivering the Bodo-Bonny road project in Rivers State. The company attributed the temporary suspension of work on the project to inflation, rising costs of inputs, and foreign exchange volatility. Despite these challenges, Julius Berger resumed work on the project in August 2024, following a verbal agreement with the Federal Ministry of Works to adjust the contract value.
The Bodo-Bonny road project is a critical national asset that will connect Bonny Island to the mainland for the first time. The project’s completion is expected to have a significant impact on the economic and social development of the Niger Delta region.
