Senate orders arrest of Julius Berger MD over contract irregularities, project abandonment

The Nigerian Senate on Thursday issued a warrant for the arrest of the Managing Director of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Dr. Peer Lubasch, over his repeated refusal to appear before the Senate Committee on Works.

The warrant was prompted by concerns about abandoned projects and significant cost variations in government contracts awarded to the construction giant.

The Senate’s resolution followed a motion moved by the Minority Whip, Senator Osita Ngwu (PDP, Enugu West), and co-sponsored by Senators Asuquo Ekpenyong (APC, Cross River South) and Mpigi Barinada (PDP, Rivers South East).

Senator Ngwu alleged that Julius Berger had persistently ignored invitations from the Senate Committee on Works to provide explanations on critical issues, including:

Senate President Godswill Akpabio directed that a date for the Managing Director’s compelled appearance be specified in the arrest warrant. “The Senate will not tolerate any form of non-compliance with its oversight responsibilities, especially in matters of public accountability,” Akpabio declared.

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The Senate emphasized the importance of holding contractors accountable for public infrastructure projects, particularly those critical to national development.

Policy analysts suggest the Senate’s action underscores mounting concerns over the lack of transparency in Nigeria’s public works sector. Dr. Emmanuel Fashola, a governance expert, commented, “Persistent cost overruns and project delays not only erode public trust but also burden the economy. Legislative oversight is essential to mitigate these challenges.”

The warrant also raises questions about the relationship between lawmakers and key contractors like Julius Berger, which has long been a dominant player in Nigeria’s infrastructure development.

As of the time of this report, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc has not issued a public statement in response to the Senate’s resolution. Stakeholders are closely monitoring the situation for potential legal and operational implications.

This development highlights the Senate’s increasing resolve to enforce accountability, with the warrant serving as a stern warning to other contractors handling government projects.

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