Senate, Julius Berger resolve rift over abandoned projects

The Senate has provided a reprieve to Julius Berger Nigeria Plc by rescinding the warrant of arrest issued against its Managing Director, Peer Lubasch.

The arrest warrant had been issued for his repeated failure to appear before the Senate Committee on Works to explain the status of abandoned projects.

On 12th December 2024, the Senate had authorised the arrest of the Julius Berger Managing Director following a motion presented by the 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), who expressed concerns over the company’s consistent non-compliance with Senate invitations.

Senator Ngwu highlighted the company’s refusal to provide explanations regarding abandoned projects and the alarming escalation of contract costs, particularly the increase of the Odukpani-Itu-Ikot Ekpene Road project from ₦54 billion to ₦195 billion.

However, during Tuesday’s plenary, the Senate vacated the arrest warrant after receiving a formal apology from Julius Berger.

In the letter addressed to the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and routed through the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Works, Senator Mpigi Barinada, the company apologised for its absence, attributing it to a leadership transition.

Dated 10th January 2025 and signed by Engineer Dr Peer Lubasch as Managing Director and Dr Abdulaziz Isa Kaita as Director of Administration, the letter read in part:

“Your Excellency, the President of the Senate, on behalf of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc (JBN), we extend our respect and commend the Senate President’s leadership and the Chairman’s contributions to advancing the welfare of Nigerians.

“We acknowledge receipt of your instructions regarding the investigative hearing on the Odukpani-Itu-Ikot Ekpene Road and sincerely apologise for missing the previous meeting due to miscommunication during our leadership transition.

“Our new Managing Director, Peer Lubasch, had just assumed office and was being briefed on ongoing projects.

“We assure you of our utmost respect for the National Assembly and our commitment to collaborative governance.

“JBN remains committed to partnering with the National Assembly and Federal Government to deliver projects that benefit Nigerians, address infrastructural challenges, and create jobs.

“We assure you of our attendance at the next committee meeting and look forward to continued collaboration.”