The Bayelsa State Government has approved N61billion budget for the construction of the Nembe-Brass road project.
The governor explained that, the increase in the budget with the initial of N54billion to N61Billion is as a result of equipment cost, cost variation and inflation rate.
Diri, revealed this on Friday during an inspection visit to the the project site, narrating that it's executive council at their monthly meeting approved a review of the construction cost, bringing it to a total of N115billion.
From the inspection visit, twenty of the 21km of the first phase of the road project has been sand-filled, while 6.5km stone base laid and sand stabilized with work currently ongoing on the second bridge out of the ten that has commenced.
Governor Diri expressed satisfaction over the ongoing project saying that, funds released for the project were being judiciously utilized while also encouraging the construction company to deliver the contract as scheduled.
In his words governor Diri said: “The Commissioner for Works informed me that you wanted to suspend work because of the variation. The variation you brought was higher than the initial contract sum.
“I was very skeptical but he tried to convince me that the variation was not just that the contractor was looking for money but that it was because of the changes in our foreign exchange rates.
“So, we approved the variation in the last state executive council meeting, which brought the project cost up to N115billion. That means you must justify and deliver this job as planned.
“You have achieved so much progress on the 21km stretch, with the first bridge completed and about to commence the second major bridge, which is 120 metres long.
“I’m also happy to hear from you that 6.5km of the road is ready for asphalting and that sand filling on the road has reached the 20km mark.
“On the second phase of this road, I had met Mr. President and also communicated to him. He directed the Minister of Works to do the needful. We are still awaiting action.
“But I am convinced that with the interest shown by the president, the second phase would be awarded by the federal government.”
While speaking, the Project Manager of Setraco Nigeria Limited, Mr. Hazen Nadjab, stated that the company will fulfill its part of the contract while also commending the state government’s effort in ensuring the smooth construction of the road project.
Mr. Nadjab mentioned that that the company had requested for extension of the completion date due to changes in cost of construction but further assured and affirmed their commitment to deliver six kilometers of the road by December this year.
The Commissioner for Works, Moses Teibowei, earlier stated that with the commitment of the state government and the availability of funds, the project will be completed within the shortest possible time without delay.
