Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, a leading construction firm, has started pulling out of several project sites in Rivers State due to delays in scheduled payments from the state government.
An online report citing a company insider revealed that the construction giant has withdrawn from major sites across the state. The move is reportedly linked to the Sole Administrator’s failure to release funds for ongoing projects, despite the state’s steady flow of federal allocations and considerable Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).
The report noted that many of the company’s workers have now been placed on standby, as operations remain suspended in several locations pending further instructions.
Another source confirmed that monthly contract payments have long been due, but attempts to secure the funds have proved fruitless. Key aides to the Sole Administrator allegedly continue to avoid making any firm commitments. As a result, the company has had to reduce its site workforce significantly.
“In one section of the Port Harcourt Ring Road project where there used to be 800 workers, fewer than 300 were seen on site last Thursday,” a source said.
Site visits conducted over the weekend appeared to confirm the situation. While the Ring Road site has seen a steep decline in activity, the Buguma-Degema Road project in the Emohua area has come to a complete standstill.
A laid-off worker explained, “In Emohua, we had completed about 30 per cent of the work, and over 60 per cent of the Ring Road project was done. But now, we’ve been told to go home and wait until the government makes payments.”
