Buhari lauds Julius Berger as work begins on Oloibiri Museum

Julius Berger MD, Dr Lars Richter

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed confidence in the ability of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc to deliver on critical construction works.

Buhari equally enjoined the country’s leading construction company to once again prove its historically established, trusted, and reliable engineering construction competence.

The President said this at the ground-breaking of the Oloibiri Museum and Research Centre and the Local Content Conference Hotel both in Bayelsa State on Tuesday.

Buhari, who was represented by the Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, said: “I trust Julius Berger will deliver the project in due time and according to specifications and timeline meant for its completion.”

He further urged Julius Berger to, in its usual operational practice, carry its host communities along in executing the projects.

President Buhari noted that the Federal Government has put needed machinery in place, including funding arrangements to ensure hitch-free delivery of the project.

Buhari, however, who urged the communities to protect the projects, stressed the need for the contractors to comply with the Community Content Guidelines of the Nigeria Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) Act.

Also speaking at the event, the NCDMB Executive Secretary, Simbi Waribote, said: “Julius Berger is a reputable construction company in Nigeria and it is not a stranger to this terrain. I have no doubt it will put up a befitting edifice here for this project.”

Bayelsa State Governor, Sen. Douye Diri, who was represented by his deputy, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mele Kyari, the Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission, Chief Samuel Ogboku, and the Obanobhan of Ogbia Kingdom, King Charles Owaba expressed similar confidence in Julius Berger to do the needful on the project even as they respectively pledged their cooperation for the success of the project.

On his part, the company’s Managing Director, Dr Lars Richter, said: “The (Oloibiri) museum will also celebrate the unique cultural heritage of the people of Oloibiri, showcasing their life, traditions, and contributions to Nigeria’s development.

“This museum will become a source of inspiration, a place to learn and reflect, a platform for dialogue and engagement.”

Richter thanked the project shareholders, the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), the NCDMB, the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), and the Bayelsa State Government for promoting the project and for choosing Julius Berger as the preferred contractor to deliver the Olibiri Museum.

Pledging the company’s professionalism and proven track records in project accomplishment, Richter added: “I am confident, and without doubt, that with the strong commitment of our client and the project shareholders, Julius Berger will unfailingly deliver on the project requirements, and on time.”

The Star