One of Nigeria’s foremost engineering construction companies, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, was the recipient of encomiums and applause last week as Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu commissioned an upgraded and rehabilitated network of roads in the highbrow Ikoyi area of the state.
The road network comprising the popular Thompson road I and II, MacDonald/Lateef Jakande and Milverton roads was commissioned by the Governor at a well-attended ceremony last Friday amidst celebratory fanfare.
The Governor opened his commissioning speech by thanking Julius Berger Plc for the prompt delivery of the project.
“Thank you very much Julius Berger for keeping faith with your words. You promised to deliver and still keep the vegetation and beautifying trees of Ikoyi while you construct the intricate network of roads, and we all can testify that you have done just that. Indeed, I am happy you have kept the landmark we promised,” Sanwo-Olu said.
According to the Governor, he was happy that within 12 months Julius Berger kept their words with the time frame without distortion to the area.
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“Thank you very much, Julius Berger.” The Governor’s gracious words elicited a standing ovation from an equally appreciative crowd of Lagosians who were present at the roads commissioning ceremony.
As a further expression of his satisfaction with Julius Berger’s manifest high engineering standard and timely delivery of the roads (ahead of the planned and contracted completion date), Governor Sanwo-Olu happily said: “From tomorrow, I order you to roll out your caterpillars; roll out your bulldozers and do similar justice to Oyinka Abayomi/Queens Drive, Cooper Road Extension and Macpherson Roads and deliver within 12 months. From the evidence before us today, we know you can do it. Please go and do it.”
In his goodwill message at the event, the Managing Director of Julius Berger Nigeria, Lars Richter said, the commissioning of the four roads constructed by Julius Berger in less than 11 months was a big investment and the company delivered the best standard.
“I am proud to state here and now that we see ourselves as partners in the development of Lagos. We look forward to a more and stronger relationship with Lagos State Government in the future. We congratulate and thank Lagos State Government for this great achievement,” Richter said.
In her welcome address, Special Adviser to the Governor on Works and Infrastructure, Aramide Adeyoye commended Julius Berger for the “prompt completion of the project and for a job well done.”
According to her, “these rehabilitated/upgraded network of roads is a gateway to the biggest job creation zone in Nigeria and home to Africa’s most valued real estate businesses. Today, against all odds, including the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the various lockdowns that ensued thereafter as well as the impact of the #End SARS protests, we are commissioning the four strategic network of roads.”
Among dignitaries that graced the occasion were, Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat, Oba of Lagos, His Royal Majesty, Oba Rilwan Babatunde Osuolale Aremu Akiolu who was represented by a delegation of highly respected White Cap Chiefs, members of the state House of Assembly, former Deputy Governors of the State and Members of the state executive council.
Other members of Julius Berger that were present at the event include the Regional Managers of Region West in Lagos, Thomas Balzuweit and Alexander Bauer; Management Staffers, Nath Ikem, Fatima Kosemani and Seyi John Johnson; andVictoria Biachi and Emmanuel Isibor amongst others.
