The Federal Government on Monday terminated the concession of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway granted to Bi-Courtney consortium on May 2009.

The termination of the concession contract follows the promise made by President Goodluck Jonathan during Sunday’s media chat where he promised to ‘fix the Lagos-Ibadan expressway’.

“As a responsible government, I don’t think we can allow Nigerians to continue to suffer. All of us in government, we feel pained that the country is held ransom because of a transaction that probably was not consummated properly because of some kind of issues. But we cannot continue like this, we will intervene on that road,” President Jonathan had said.

Announcing the end of the contract between Bi-Courtney and the government at a press conference in Abuja, the Minister of Works, Mike Onolememen said the termination of the concession is consequent on the serial breaches of the concession agreement by Bi-Courtney consortium and especially the failure of the company to reach financial close as provided for in the agreement.

The Minister said: “The Federal Government today terminated the concession of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway granted to Bi-Courtney Consortium on 8th May, 2009.

“The termination of the concession agreement by Bi-Courtney consortium and especially the failure of the company to reach financial close as provided for in the agreement.

“Due to the senseless carnages on this important expressway which is part of Arterial Route A1, the Federal Government has also decided to embark on the emergency reconstruction of the expressway.

“Consequently, the Federal ministry of Works has engaged the services of Julius Berger Plc and R.C.C Nigeria Limited to commence work immediately on the reconstruction of the expressway.

“While Julius Berger would handle handle section 1: from Lagos to Shagamu interchange, RCC Nigeria Limited will be responsible for section II: from Shagamu to Ibadan.

“The Federal Government wishes to assure that while it will continue to uphold the sanctity of contracts entered into by the Federal Government, it will not shy away from implementing provisions of the contract agreement dealing with non-performance on the part of the contracting party.”

On the legal implication of terminating the contract he said, “The legal implications of this termination have been carefully considered by both the Federal Ministry of Works and indeed the Federal Government. If you recall, we have been on this issue for quiet sometime now and we have meticulously followed the concession agreement, the provision of relevant clauses of the agreement.

“We have complied fully with the provisions of this agreement. We have had cause even in the past to write the concessioneer to detail the breaches which it had committed in this agreement in this particular transaction and we have also followed the minimum and maximum number of days the contractor was expected to remedy the situation but failing which the Federal Government had no alternative but to take this course of action”.

“In terms of percentage payment so far, this is a concessioned project. In other words it is different from the normal EPC contracts, so the FG in a sense did not make any direct payment to Bi-Courteny in this particular transaction. Bi-Courteny was supposed to raise, he would have been able to raise the fund from the private sector and apply it to the construction of this expressway and toll it for as many as 25 years, to recoup his investment and this has not happened, and that is why today the concession has been terminated.

“For your information, under this concession, the construction period is supposed to last for four years and the four years will come to a close in about six months’ time and right now there is nothing on ground to suggest that the company is capable.”

On whether it was a mistake to have given the concession to Bi-Courteny he said, “I would not want to say that it was a mistake, because though I was not in the office as at that time, perhaps at that time they had the most responsible bids, the details is best known to the then minister of works and his team that handled the project. But again it is not out of place to give Nigerian companies opportunities to handle projects of this nature. This is our country, whoever has the ability and the capacity to do projects of this nature we believe should be encouraged”.

On the percentage of work done on the road he said, “I will leave that for those who use the road. As far as we are concerned the terms of work has not been complied with".

So this media chat thing de really work, great move GEJ

Source:
http://www.channelstv.com/home/2012/11/19/lagos-ibadan-expressway-fg-kicks-out-bi-courtney-award-contracts-to-berger-rcc/

Same of the Same

Stalemate

Nice one! Buh I hope this won't take them 8years to complete. There are other ongoing projects which aren't near completion, I wonder where the government will raise funds for this project. There is no provision for this project in the budget proposal submitted to the NA and the amount budgeted for capital project isn't much so its means government will have to borrow to carry out the project.
I have a feeling that Bi Courtney will secure an injunction to stop this move, one would have expected the government to allow them the remaining six months so that the contract would lapse.

He said it yesterday! he matched it with and he matched his words with action today and some fools on nairaland would call him all sorts of names like I said my president. Would continue to expose the hypocrites on this forum and there paymasters!

karl max: He said it yesterday! he matched it with and he matched his words with action today and some fools on nairaland would call him all sorts of names like I said my president. Would continue to expose the hypocrites on this forum and there paymasters!

Look at this one. You will be the first to complain next on this same road.

Inasmuch as I feel that Bi-Courtney did not deserve the short end of the stick in this contractual agreement, sentiments just have to take the back seat before a rational conclusion can be reached, there's very little the government can do considering the economic importance of the road

Bi-courtney got besets by serious difficulties and challenges which can make any sure-fire business deals go awry, and which are fundamental to the success of the project.

This ranges from not getting the right support from the ministry involved, at a point, bi-courtney was almost begging the ministry of works to release the original master-plan of the road to it, not really sure if it wad released.

Non-availability and accessibility to financial instruments from banks in Nigeria for project of such magnitude, the company has to seek support from a firm in South Africa, and lastly, not finding favour from the two State governors that controls the corridor, this was the last straw that broke the camel's back.

But I won't really be surprised if some persons with low crania capacity jumps out to criticize the President for taking such decisive and bold steps at this auspicious time in the history of the country.

I pray this new ones don't turn the project into child's play like their predecessor. This road is the most vital road in nigeria.
Good idea from GEJ, he seem to know the importance of the road.

Nice one!

That Bi-Courtneys' cup is full and runneth over (and how the hell did they come up with such a high-falutin company name ?); this is what happens when you get a massive contract based solely man-know-man and daddys contacts, without having the expertise or capacity to carry out said project.

Can't believe this is coming from GEJ.hope this fresh air is not to pave way 4 second term!

Paul John: I pray this new ones don't turn the project into child's play like their predecessor. This road is the most vital road in nigeria.
Good idea from GEJ, he seem to know the importance of the road.

Dunno about RCC but definitely not Julius Berger Nigeria in this regard...

The incompetent ones were the persons who awarded the road in the first place to Bi-Courtney. The competent person has as usual cleaned up the MESS left in that area, sacked the incompetent Bi-Courtney and their incompetent collaborators, replacing them with competent contractors. This has been the trend since Jonathan came to power. He has continued to clean up the MESS and ROT of the past. In a few areas where he inherited good policies from his predecessors,eg power reforms, amnesty,etc he continued with implementation of such policies with much more vigour. Nigerians know those who are incompetent!

take dat: Nice one! Buh I hope this won't take them 8years to complete. There are other ongoing projects which aren't near completion, I wonder where the government will raise funds for this project. There is no provision for this project in the budget proposal submitted to the NA and the amount budgeted for capital project isn't much so its means government will have to borrow to carry out the project.
I have a feeling that Bi Courtney will secure an injunction to stop this move, one would have expected the government to allow them the remaining six months so that the contract would lapse.

The FG can also send a supplementary budget to the NASS if this project was not included in the original executive budget estimate.

mojounited:

Dunno about RCC but definitely not Julius Berger Nigeria in this regard...

Same here, RCC where effective in the 90's. Don't think so now.

Just like the example fella explained in one of his songs that he was dissing the government of Buhari! R.I.P Abami Eda! Once again, you have vindicated!

CFCfan:

The FG can also send a supplementary budget to the NASS if this project was not included in the original executive budget estimate.

It is not about sending a supplementary budget, its about if the FG can raise the funds without having to borrow. The best FG can do is to set up a PPP arrangement or else the project will take a long time before its completed.

good ....

take dat: Nice one! Buh I hope this won't take them 8years to complete. There are other ongoing projects which aren't near completion, I wonder where the government will raise funds for this project. There is no provision for this project in the budget proposal submitted to the NA and the amount budgeted for capital project isn't much so its means government will have to borrow to carry out the project.
I have a feeling that Bi Courtney will secure an injunction to stop this move, one would have expected the government to allow them the remaining six months so that the contract would lapse.

Bro, non-compliance with the terms of work is enough to throw the contract out of the window, if you are conversant with this road, you'll know that there is no significance improvement from the state it was when Adeseye Ogunlewe was minister of works during OBJ's regime till now, all what we got over the years is the usual 'ember' month patching once the year is running to an end.

I will not rule out a court injunction from bi-courtney, Babalakin seems to be good at that, you know he is having similar issue with the taking over of the old secretariat in Ikoyi by his company and which is been contested by the Lagos State government, but apart from the FG, he will also have the governors of Oyo and Ogun to contend with, this governors are also concerned on the pitiable state of the road and won't mind taking over if the law permits.

So my advice for him will be to seek out a workable compensation and to also use same as a bargaining tool with the government for Other less contested projects.

take dat: It is not about sending a supplementary budget, its about if the FG can raise the funds without having to borrow. The best FG can do is to set up a PPP arrangement or else the project will take a long time before its completed.

A PPP arrangement is the only workable solution to the said road and I want to believe such plan is the offing but there's need for urgent rehabilitation of the road, and while waiting for a feasible PPP template to be thought out at the appropriate time, people should not be made to continue suffering and dying unnecessarily, hence the government intervention.

was this a lie?

[size=14pt]Nigeria: Bi-Courtney Commences Work On Lagos-Ibadan Expressway

BY NWANNEKA EZEMELUE, 25 SEPTEMBER 2012[/size]

http://allafrica.com/stories/201209250280.html

Concessionaire of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Bi-Courtney Highway Services Ltd, Monday said it had commenced a major reconstruction on the 106-kilometre highway with two top contractors.

The infrastructure development and management company also announced that it had engaged Messrs Borino Prono Construction Company and CCC Construction Nigeria Ltd to embark on the major reconstruction works, starting from four critical portions on the road.

A statement issued by Bi-Courtney's spokesman, Dipo Kehinde, said: "The reconstruction exercise will go on simultaneously in four critical portions of the road."

While envisaging that the works might impact on smooth flow of traffic on the road, Bi-Courtney said it had taken the precautionary measures of engaging traffic control officers and flaggers who would facilitate the flow of traffic during construction hours.

The statement read in part: "We urge motorists to drive with care, observe the rules, and obey traffic signs.

"We are working with all stakeholders, including the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE), the Nigeria Police Force, tanker owners and other road users, to minimise the impact of this exercise on motorists.

"Bi-Courtney commends the commitment and the vision of Mr. President to infrastructure development through Public Private Partnership (PPP). This vision, being strongly promoted by the Federal Ministry of Works is worthy of support. And we assure Nigerians that the Federal Government and our company are committed to this all-important road project."

Bi-Courtney, another fake, unqualified Yoruba construction company butted out

This is how the Yorubas corrupt the system with their incompetence and fakeness. If GEJ was a Yoruba, Bi courtney would still be having the contract like OBJ did with 100s of contracts he gave to Kenny Martins his brother, in which no single one was completed and Martins is still walking free.

Maxymilliano:
Bro, non-compliance with the terms of work is enough to throw the contract out of the window, if you are conversant with this road, you'll know that there is no significance improvement from the state it was when Adeseye Ogunlewe was minister of works during OBJ's regime till now, all what we got over the years is the usual 'ember' month patching once the year is running to an end.

I will not rule out a court injunction from bi-courtney, Babalakin seems to be good at that, you know he is having similar issue with the taking over of the old secretariat in Ikoyi by his company and which is been contested by the Lagos State government, but apart from the FG, he will also have the governors of Oyo and Ogun to contend with, this governors are also concerned on the pitiable state of the road and won't mind taking over if the law permits.

So my advice for him will be to seek out a workable compensation and to also use same as a bargaining tool with the government for Other less contested projects.

I do agree that non compliance to a contractual terms is enough reason to revoke the concession. My problem is if the FG has the capacity to carry out the project. I watched an interview of Orubebe lamenting about inadequate funding from the FG to finish the East West road, if budgetary allocation will be used to embark on it that will take a long time because the allocation will be in piece meal. There are other existing capital projects still begging for funds for its completion. I'll want to propose a PPP arrangement or else government will be shooting itself in the leg if it takes over the project and work is stalled cos of inadequate funding

Active gov't

With me alone, only Julius berger will handle contracts in this country.

Long overdue. Non-responsive contractors.

docokwy: Bi-Courtney, another fake, unqualified Yoruba construction company butted out

This is how the Yorubas corrupt the system with their incompetence and fakeness. If GEJ was a Yoruba, Bi courtney would still be having the contract like OBJ did with 100s of contracts he gave to Kenny Martins his brother, in which no single one was completed and Martins is still walking free.

Grow up man!

It's not about the contractor(s), I believe, but about the awarder of the contract.

Kobojunkie: was this a lie?

[size=14pt]Nigeria: Bi-Courtney Commences Work On Lagos-Ibadan Expressway

BY NWANNEKA EZEMELUE, 25 SEPTEMBER 2012[/size]

http://allafrica.com/stories/201209250280.html

Concessionaire of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Bi-Courtney Highway Services Ltd, Monday said it had commenced a major reconstruction on the 106-kilometre highway with two top contractors.

The infrastructure development and management company also announced that it had engaged Messrs Borino Prono Construction Company and CCC Construction Nigeria Ltd to embark on the major reconstruction works, starting from four critical portions on the road.

A statement issued by Bi-Courtney's spokesman, Dipo Kehinde, said: "The reconstruction exercise will go on simultaneously in four critical portions of the road."

While envisaging that the works might impact on smooth flow of traffic on the road, Bi-Courtney said it had taken the precautionary measures of engaging traffic control officers and flaggers who would facilitate the flow of traffic during construction hours.

The statement read in part: "We urge motorists to drive with care, observe the rules, and obey traffic signs.

"We are working with all stakeholders, including the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE), the Nigeria Police Force, tanker owners and other road users, to minimise the impact of this exercise on motorists.

"Bi-Courtney commends the commitment and the vision of Mr. President to infrastructure development through Public Private Partnership (PPP). This vision, being strongly promoted by the Federal Ministry of Works is worthy of support. And we assure Nigerians that the Federal Government and our company are committed to this all-important road project."

Sorry Kobo, I'm sure there is more of such type of articles in the archive if you can dig further, similar article was posted last year and Bi-courtney even when ahead to erect billboards at some spot along the corridor but to little avail. Part of what was published last year was that the company will provide mobile clinics and other form of supports to reduce the plight of motorist plying the route in the course of the rehabilitation. The only feasible sign on the road to indicate that it has been awarded for rehabilitation is bi-courtney billboard.

D same RCC dat is presently run by a racist Jewish man.

take dat: I do agree that non compliance to a contractual terms is enough reason to revoke the concession. My problem is if the FG has the capacity to carry out the project. I watched an interview of Orubebe lamenting about inadequate funding from the FG to finish the East West road, if budgetary allocation will be used to embark on it that will take a long time because the allocation will be in piece meal. There are other existing capital projects still begging for funds for its completion. I'll want to propose a PPP agreement or else government will be shooting itself in the leg if the takes over the project and work is stalled cos of inadequate funding

The government action is like an intervention and I want to believe a foolproof and workable PPP template will be worked out soon, like the President said during the media chat, government cannot fold its arms and allow the carnage experienced on that road to continue.

nigerians will b better for this.d most important road in d country deserves better attention.

docokwy: Bi-Courtney, another fake, unqualified Yoruba construction company butted out

This is how the Yorubas corrupt the system with their incompetence and fakeness. If GEJ was a Yoruba, Bi courtney would still be having the contract like OBJ did with 100s of contracts he gave to Kenny Martins his brother, in which no single one was completed and Martins is still walking free.

Who is this bufoon? I can already tell ure probably unemployed and living in misery because you can't be gainfully engaged and still think like this

tatosh:

Who is this bufoon? I can already tell ure probably unemployed and living in misery because you can't be gainfully engaged and still think like this

I will feed you village urchin and your wretched, poverty-engulfed family until generations to come. Bi-courtney was fake, like most Yoruba things.