Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma has boasted that Craneburg, the company awarded contract for the construction of Owerri-Orlu and Owerri-Okigwe roads is bigger than Julius Berger Construction Company.
The governor, who was apparently reacting to criticisms that he had boasted that Julius Berger would handle the project, said he’s sure Craneburg will do a better job.
Speaking during the flag-off of the construction of the two critical roads in the state, Uzodimma said, “Craneburg is a world class construction company. I had a memorandum of understanding with Julius Berger, Craneburg and Dumez, three world class companies and in a bid to get value for money and pass through competitive bidding process, so we don’t violate the procurement act, we got the most responsible bid from Craneburg. I carried out a proficiency test on this company and discovered that the company is even bigger than Julius Berger.
“We have awarded these two roads, Owerri to Okigwe and Owerri to Orlu at the sum of N55 billion and out of this money, in line with the procurement act, we have paid 15 percent and what we have come to do here today is to start the work, my agreement with the contractor is that they must work day and night and complete the roads within 18 months”, the governor stated.
Uzodimma described the two roads as signature projects which his government has discovered will open up the state’s economy.
In his speech, the Commissioner for Works, Ralph Nwosu, expressed profound gratitude to the governor for approving the reconstruction of the roads.
He said though federal roads, the governor decided to embark on the construction because they will add value to the state and improve its economy.
The commissioner said the ministry searched until it got one of the best world renowned contractors to handle the construction, promising that the road will last for over 20 years.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Managing Director of Craneburg Construction Company, Mr. Gilbert Sassine promised that they will deliver international standard roads; stabilized sub-base with cement injectors, stone-base, two layers of asphalt and add drainage where there is none.
He promised people of areas where the roads criss-crossed that there will be a lot of benefits for them in the areas of skills acquisition, employment and supply of consumables.
