In furtherance of his administration’s policy of engendering private sector participation in the development of the State, Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson has signed a Memorandum of Understanding, (MoU) with construction giants, Julius Berger International to develop the Yenagoa/Azikoro Business Park in the State capital.
At a brief ceremony marking the MoU signing at the company’s International Headquarters in Wiesbaden, Germany, Governor Dickson noted that, the new partnership will serve as a veritable framework to fast-track the infrastructural development of the State.
Expressing satisfaction with the performance level of Julius Berger in the execution of projects, the Bayelsa State Chief Executive noted that, the relationship between the company and the state government has been of immense benefit to both parties, stressing that, it has brought about the construction new roads and the expansion of a number of old roads within the state capital and its environs, including the 12-kilometre Isaac Boro, the NNPC mega station flyover and the Opolo-Imiringi road among others.
According to him, the ceremony was a further proof of the place of Julius Berger as not only a construction firm, but a reliable and trusted development partner in the emerging Bayelsa, where the company is also regarded as one that has remained supportive to the policies and programmes of government, attract local and international investors as well as be a part of the success story of Bayelsa.
“By the Memorandum of Understanding, you are ready to demonstrate that, Julius Berger in Bayelsa is not just a contracting firm, but you are there as a development partner, you are there to support us, you are there to attract investors and you want to be part of the Bayelsa success story”.
“The fact that your company wants to come to Bayelsa to embark on this wonderful development projects, not just as contractors, but as investors, where you and your partners will put down your funds, is a demonstration of the confidence you have in our state; the confidence you have in the policies of our government, confidence that you have in the future and the security of our state”
Underscoring the importance of the company to the restoration agenda of government, Governor Dickson remarked that, Julius Berger has over time and based on the quality of its jobs, gained the confidence and acceptance of not only the government, but the majority of the people of the state, stressing that, it will continue to enjoy government patronage for as as long it keeps to its performance level.
While, affirming government’s resolve to keep to its side of the MoU, he was of the view that, Julius Berger has since grown to a partner, with equal stake in the development of the state and called for a revision of the company’s master plan for the development of the state, in line with the present realities on the ground.
“And, again I want to thank you for the warm reception accorded my delegation and I, and I want to appreciate you for your understanding in managing this relationship and also working together in solidarity and sincerity, to know that we are in mutually rewarding partnership, Julius Berger and Bayelsa State” he said.
Responding, the Managing Director of Julius Berger International, Mr. George Marks, expressed gratitude to the governor and his entourage for embarking on the trip to the company’s headquarters, noting that, the company had long worked in the state until its operations were halted by some security problems.
“Julius Berger is working in 3 states out of 36 states and for both of us, we take it very serious, because you are committed, we are also committed to the government and the people. We have our people working in Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom and Benue State” he said.
Mr. Marks expressed the company’s gratitude and commitment, stating that, at an agreed time the company leadership will be on hand to review the master plan and arrange a forum for interaction as a means of re-validating the master plan.
Daniel Iworiso-Markson
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Bayelsa State