Julius Berger Thanks FG For Awarding Itakpe-Warri Rail Line Construction To Company

Nigerian construction company, Julius Berger, has thanked the federal government for awarding to its company the construction of the Itakpe-Warri rail line and facilities that was commissioned on Tuesday by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The company described the completion of the project as, “a clear testimony of Mr President’s resolve to provide and improve lasting infrastructural amenities which impacts positively on lives of citizens across the length and breadth of this nation”.

President Buhari had commissioned the project virtually from his office at the State House, Abuja.

The commissioning was held physically at the Goodluck Jonathan Railway Complex in Agbor (Owa-Oyibu), Asaba, Delta State.

The president had described rail transportation as a vital backbone for industrialisation and economic development of the country.

While urging workers who would be managing the facility to uphold maintenance and safety culture, Buhari also urged, “other sectors who will be primary beneficiaries of this transportation backbone, including the iron and steel sector, stakeholders in agricultural and mining sectors on this corridor, as well as the host communities to protect and sustain this infrastructure and maximize the benefits that could be derived from it and which is readily available at their doorsteps.”

He noted that, “This project will increase the volume of their trade and kick start and resuscitate the iron and steel complexes. All these, I hope will improve our industrial potentials and capacities as well as boost employment.

“It is expected that with the commencement of operation of this Itakpe-Ajaokuta-Warri Rail line, it will account for close to one million passengers a year and also unleash approximately 3.5 million tonnes capacity of freight annually that will service all off-takers on this corridor and beyond,” he had said.

Present at the commissioning were Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, and the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed.

Others were the Minister of State for Labour and Productivity, Olorogun Festus Keyamo, and traditional rulers from across the Niger Delta region.

Julius Berger’s Executive Director, Administration, Zubairu Ibrahim Bayi, who represented the Managing Director, Lars Richter, offered congratulations to the federal government for the success of the project.

The company also felicitated the, “indefatigable Hon. Minister of Transport and his team as well as to the Nigerian nation on this epoch-making event,” while also thanking him, “for his kind and selfless work as well as nationalistic zeal, by which this project has been successfully realised”.
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The success of the project, Bayi said, “is a clear testimony of Mr President’s resolve to provide and improve lasting infrastructural amenities which impacts positively on lives of citizens across the length and breadth of this nation”.

He noted that other completed works were the renovation and refurbishment of the Railway village, comprising of School building, Clinic, Recreational facilities, Fire Station, Police Station; and other ancilary buildings.

“I am humbled to announce to this gathering that these structures mentioned above were constructed in accordance with international due diligence and best practice; a hallmark of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc,” said Bayi.