We’re always partner in progress with government, Kaita tells new trainees

The inaugural edition of the Julius Berger Vocational Support Programme kicked off Monday with the company’s Director, Administration, Alh. Dr Abdulaziz Kaita telling the fresh trainees that Nigeria’s leading engineering construction company, Julius Berger has always been an excited partner in progress with the governments at all levels in the country.

Julius Berger has always been partner in progress with the government and part of our contribution to the society to have vocational training as a way forward for the country, he said.

He admonished the Programme participants to work hard and asked questions to enhance their respective employable lives upon graduation from the programme in a few months’ time.

Speaking on the process that threw up the participants for the programme, the Director said that the trainees must count themselves lucky to have mage it as they were the lucky 36 candidates from the over 9,000 applicants that applied for the training.

He was full of praise for the female participants whom he described as extremely lucky and deservedly so.

He said, I’m very happy that we have women here. This is because if you educate a man, you educate an individual but if you educate a woman, you educate a whole nation. So can you clap for the women here too. You know they are our mothers. And if you educate a woman, she will transfer the knowhow to others and before you know it, we get a woman to educate a whole nation.

In his own speech, the Head, Human Resources Department, Mr Olorumfemi Ojomo who welcomed the trainees told them Julius Berger Nigeria Plc takes the Vocational Support Programme serious; and as a result it took a Director in the company to be present to address them.

Urging them to always feel free to ask relevant Faculty members questions on the Programme, he disclosed that there are quite a lot for the trainees to learn including benefits like receiving quality training, certification, tools support and mentorship; even as he wished them all good success.

The Julius Berger Vocational Support Programme, a CSR initiative is designed to empower Nigerian youths with technical skills and certificates for better employability and socioeconomic progress.

It is a 10-month technical training programme in automotive repair services, considering the fast-evolving nature of the automotive industry.

The curricula have been so designed for training in the following technical expertise to enable beneficiaries learn a skill that will remain commercially viable for the foreseeable future: Auto Mechanics and Battery Services, Vulcanizing, Alignment and Wheel Balancing as well as Auto Diagnostics.

The programme targets adult Nigerians resident in Abuja with a School Leaving Certificate. It is also for women seeking opportunities in the areas of technical expertise and for persons within disadvantaged groups, PWDs.

The company’s Head, Human Reources Department, Mr. Olorunfemi Ojomo, Chief Risk Officer, Mrs Shakira Mustapha and the Director, Administration, Dr. Abdulaziz Kaita. Others were Talent Development and Academy Manager, Mrs Goodness Onoja and Mrs Happiness Moses of the Media Relations Office.

The Academy’s Faculty members at the event included: Trade Area/Auto Electrical system; Emmanuel Iloduba,  Trade Area/Safety;  Adegbe Adegbe, Trade Area/ Program Coordinator, Samuel Ofobotekeru, Trade Area/Vulcanization and Wheel balancing, Mohammed Bin Ahmed,  Trade Area/Auto Electrical System; Muhammed Aminu, and Trade Area/Auto Diagnostics, Danlami

Abuja-Kano Road Project: Eco-conscious construction

In his advert on May 29, 2024, to mark his achievements on the first year anniversary of the present federal government of Nigeria in office, Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi stated that against all odds, the rehabilitation of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Road, Section II, that is, the Kaduna-Zaria axis is now 90% complete.

The Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Road (AKR) is a significant highway project contracted to leading engineering construction company to revamp from the Federal Capital city, Abuja through Kaduna and Zaria to Kano.

The project involves the reconstruction and infrastructure development of a 375 km section of the A2 highway which runs from the capital city, Abuja, to the city of Kano in northern Nigeria. The goal being to establish better connections between the northern regions of Nigeria and the southern parts to enhance transportation, trade, and economic development in the region.

In addition to roadway reconstruction, the project includes the provision of footbridges, road lighting, toll roads, service stations, and rest facilities along the highway.

The project is part of the Trans-African Highways network, which aims to create well-developed road-based trade corridors across Africa.

A notable feature of the project is the use of cold recycling with foamed bitumen as the construction method. Cold recycling is an environmentally friendly approach that optimally utilizes existing construction materials and conserves valuable resources.

In the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Road Project, Julius Berger is employing the Bitumen Stabilised Material, BSM mixture of reclaimed asphalt pavement material, foamed binder, active filler and fresh aggregates to produce a unique road infrastructure for the government of Nigeria. The reason is simple.

As road construction surges across Nigeria, the depletion of crucial resources like gravels and granites poses a significant challenge. The tremendous 380km length of the Abuja-Kano Road project requires blasting and excavation of rocks and granites. It is in response to this development that Julius Berger introduced this Cold In-Place recycling technique, revolutionizing the approach to infrastructure development.

Road construction puts pressure on natural resources like gravels and granites depleting its availability for future use.

To mitigate the environmental impact of the project, Julius Berger, for the first time in Nigeria, introduced the Cold In-Place recycling methodology. This approach enhances both road durability and eco-consciousness and has attracted attention all over Nigeria.

The Ahmadu Bello University Zaria now partners Julius Berger Nigeria Plc in an internship programme that allows its students understudy the methodology for practical experience to replicate for sustainable road construction. This is a plus for the loaded CSR CV of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc.

This innovative method has numerous benefits. The new road is planned to have an increased bearing capacity, compared to the previous pavement constructed with granular base course, leading to an extended lifespan. It is environmentally friendly and helps to conserve natural resources, considering the reduced need for new material to be mined / damaged asphalt to be dumped. Furthermore, construction traffic is greatly reduced compared to conventional methods; meaning fewer heavy load bearing trucks on the road, reducing road congestion and diminishing the burden on the livelihood of the surrounding communities.

It also underscores the company’s commitment to environmental stewardship and collaborative progress, as evidenced by partnerships with educational institutions like Ahmadu Bello University Zaria.

Julius Berger Nigeria PLC is always looking for solutions to lead us into the sustainable future.

With the introduction of Bitumen-Stabilized Material (BSM) to Nigeria, JBN is the first company, to make use of existing (recycled) materials by means of Cold Recycling Technology.

BSM simply means, Cold recycling with Foamed Bitumen aka Bitumen-Stabilized Material – is commonly RAP material and/or Granular Base Course (GBC) material mixed with a limited amount of Cement as an Active Filler, Water and Foamed Bitumen, which is produced by injecting water to hot Bitumen.

After six years of BSM experience for the Abuja-Kano Road, the significant advantages of laying BSM are practically visible. It increases the structural strength of the road due to an increase in cohesion to withstand traffic loads immediately after construction. Furthermore, BSM reduces the moisture sensitivity drastically.

According to some published literature, Julius Berger brings together people, materials, and machinery at the right time and at the right place in order to implement new, innovative products into the construction market.

Which was why that by mid-July 2023, Trial Field Tests were conducted with PolyGRA (Supplier: Gradient), which is a polymeric modifier. This granulate is added directly to the asphalt mixer resulting in Polymer modified Asphalt (PmA) by making use of Standard Bitumen 60/70.

Several representatives of Ministry of Works and the Pavement Evaluation Unit (PEU) reportedly joined in the exercise to monitor the performance of PmA and to follow up with further long-term tests. So far, Julius Berger continues to get applause for the innovation, the publication stated.

Inspite of intervening factors, there have been ongoing efforts to complete and upgrade the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano road. As of now, 100 kilometres (though not in a continuous stretch) have been completed under sections one to three (Abuja-Kano), 40 kilometres have been completed under section two (Kaduna-Zaria) and 70 kilometres have been completed under section three (Zaria-Kano).

The recent hour bestowed on Julius Berger Nigeria Plc by the prestigious Environment Reporters Association of Nigeria, ERAN no doubt underscores the foregoing.

According to the specialised Group of Journalists, we note that, after we have carried out discreet survey on your operational activities majorly on your adherence to Environmental Impact Assessment, EIA over the years, we decided to honour Julius Berger Plc as a corporate body with 2023 Environmental Best Practices

Award.

The Group continued: besides your adherence to EIA, we discovered that your construction operations have been strictly within the ambit of environmental laws for the sustainability of the Nigerian Environment in consonance with global standards.

ERAN further noted that Julius Berger’s operational modalities comply with international best practices and respect the environmental rights of communities in your areas of operations with professional sound analytical and research skills, combined with scientific and technical experience in management and administration resulting in demonstrable achievements in the preservation, restoration and development of the Nigerian environment, as a body.

In fact, what Julius Berger is doing on the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Road project is employing cutting edge innovative approach that aims to reduce the strain on the environment during building and design processes that would result in creating healthier living spaces while minimizing environmental impact. Simply put, that is, being eco-conscious in road construction.

AGAIN, JULIUS BERGER GETS DOUBLE HONOURS: BAGS APPRECIATION AWARD FROM ACADEMY OF ENGINEERING AND NIPR’S EXCELLENCE IN PROFESSIONAL COMPLIANCE AWARD

Barely one month after Julius Berger Nigeria Plc. won double Awards at the Transport Day and Champion Newspapers Awards ceremonies in Lagos, the country’s leading engineering construction company, has bagged another set of double Awards.

While the Nigerian Academy of Engineering gave the company an Appreciation Award for all its professional and related support to the Academy in Lagos at its 2024 Academy Technology Dinner, Innovations Exhibition and Awards Night, the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations, NIPR, gave Julius Berger a corporate Award in Professional Competence in Abuja.

In giving Julius Berger the Appreciation Award, the President of the Academy of Engineering, Prof Peter Onwualu said, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc has been a useful partner in our journey thus far. The company has always been supportive and how else do we appreciate them if not by this novel Appreciation Award, even as he described the company as a corporate friend that is worth more than silver and gold.

Receiving the Award on behalf of Julius Berger, the Head, Corporate Communications of the company, Mr. James Agama thanked the organisers for the honour on Julius Berger even as he wished them well in all their future endeavours.

The event night featured exhibitions of technological innovations like the Intrud Safety Device, locally made 380watts glass solar panel and Smart Irrigation technology among others.

Inside the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, Thursday, at the Institute’s 60th anniversary celebrations, President of the NIPR, Ike Neliaku, fnipr who personally handed over the Award certificate and plaque to Julius Berger’s representative and Human Resources Coordinator, Mohammed Nasiru said that the Julius Berger’s commitment and dedication to excellence in service delivery, in and outside government, has set a high standard for others to follow and significantly enhanced the reputation and practice of public relations as a leadership function.

He continued, we reflect on your achievements and we celebrate with you and acknowledge the impact you have made in the field of public relations, the nation and continent in general.

Speaking after he received the Award on behalf of the company, Mr Haruna said, it was a great honour to Julius Berger to be awarded this Excellence in Professional Compliance Award. As good corporate citizens, Julius Berger has always being and will continue to be compliant for the good of our country, the industry and the general society.

The Award event which had former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, former First Lady of the country, Dame Patience Jonathan, Governors Abdullahi Sule, Nasarawa State; Umar Namadi, Jigawa State; Abba Kabir Yusuf, Kano State, former Information ministers, Prof. Jerry Gana and Labaran Maku as well as the incumbent, Mohammed Idris Malagi, fnipr and Chairman/CEO of Air Peace Limited, Chief Allen Onyema, CON as well as many others in attendance, overflowed into the lobby area of the Congress Hall of the Transcorp Hilton venue of the event.

Established in 1963 and chartered by Decree 16 of June 1 1990 (now an Act of the National Assembly, cited as Cap. N114 Laws of the Federation, LFN 2024), the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) is the sole regulator of public relations in Nigeria. Over the past 60 years, we have demonstrated faith and commitment to the nation and provided strategic support towards national development.

This milestone not only marks our enduring commitment to the field of public relations and deploying the profession as a critical element in nation-building but also provides an opportunity to honour those who have significantly contributed to its advancement, the NIPR President further said.

Team Julius Berger Nigeria Plc at the Award event included, the Head, Media Relation Office, Emmanuel Isibor, Miss Bassey Ewan-Effiong, Mrs Happiness Moses and Miss Olivia Uzoma.

JULIUS BERGER’S 2024 INVESTOR FORUM: WE’RE A MAJOR PLAYER IN NIGERIA’S CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY, SAYS RICHTER

The Managing Director of leading engineerig construction company, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Engr. Dr. Lars Richter has declared that the company is a major player in the country’s construction sector, adding that, “it is hard not to reckon with Julius Berger Nigeria Plc in the scheme of things despite the challenges posed by the Nigerian economy in 2023.”

The Managing Director who spoke at the recent edition of the company’s Investors Forum few days after its successful 54th Annual General Meeting, in answer to a question from an investor said, “we are still a major player in Nigeria’s construction industry. We have the brand and experience; we are not unaware of the rising competition; we remain a Tier 1 construction company. We have the funding power; we have the capacity in terms of manpower and experience, which many in the competition cannot really boast of.”

Richter, who was optimistic that the company will get new projects, moving forward said, “opportunities abound not only at the federal government level, in states like Abia, Delta, Rivers and Akwa Ibom as well as the Republic of Benin, where the company currently has some projects ongoing, we are optimistic we will get new projects there and even from identified potential clients.”

In answer to another question, the Managing Director, said, “Julius Berger completed Phase 1 of the Lagos-Sagamu Expressway last year.” Adding that, the project is ongoing, he said, “Phases 2 and 3 are under review with the government. The asphalt work there is okay. Right now, some minor repair works are being undertaken. We are ready to continue our work on the project, but it will depend on the government.”

On the company’s highly rated CSR scorecard, Richter said, “Julius Berger deliberately trains and employs unemployed youths at operational sites, where they have opportunities to become skilled and more useful to the society.” He continued, “we employ them in the sites. We dont employ only skilled workers there. We employ unemployed youths, train and equip them to work at our sites. We provide them with education too in our Academy. Indeed, we do a lot in the training of unemployed youths.”

Richter also said the company’s CSR efforts have continued to have positive impacts on targeted communities even as he disclosed that, “Julius Berger focusses on education, community development and philanthropy” adding that, “to ensure the sustainable efforts reach targeted beneficiaries, the company’s Community Liaison Officers, CLOs, in the operational communities send feedback to the relevant departments”, retorting that, “we have CLOs. They are effective liaison with the communities. We get feedback from them. So, we easily address our CSR complaints.”

Answering a question on diversification, Richter said, “the company has some key considerations in determining its options principal among which are the Food sector and the Healthcare sector apart from the regional diversification as being currently experienced in Cotonou, Republic of Benin.” Assuring potential investors on Julius Berger’s diversification efforts, Richter said, “we are mainly a construction company. On diversification efforts in Julius Berger, Jochen Stolle is there to look into our diversification plan. He is covering all the projects and sectors for diversification. It is a new field, and we are looking into B2B business on diversification… Food security is becoming a major problem; and we are already looking into how we can key in and be relevant.”

On the reported vandalization of sections of the newly constructed Second Niger Bridge, the Managing Director disclosed that, “the company is assisting the Federal Government to fix the vandalised project.” He said, “we have records of the vandalization. We are assisting the Federal Government on this. Our team has been there and only minor damage was done to the national asset. But nothing was done to the infrastructure.”

Richter said “Julius Berger is maintaining a positive outlook in every aspect of its operations. Our strategic framework prioritises sustainability, supports growth, leverages innovation and focuses on long term growth. We will continue to deliver high quality services to our client and despite the challenges, Julius Berger is on the road to innovation, sustainability, growth among other positive developments.”

The Financial Director, Christian Hausemann, who also spoke at the event was confident that the fortunes of the company are looking up.

The virtual Investors Forum, which had participants across the globe in attendance saw presentations by the Managing Director and the Financial Director and featured a Questions and Answers session.

The annual Julius Berger Investors Forum serves as a platform to illuminate the intricate tapestry of our business, operations, and financial achievements. The company uses the Forum to unveil the blueprint of ist acclaimed success while offering discerning investors and potential ones a comprehensive view of the company‘s journey, achievements, and aspirations.

The company holds that through a meticulous examination of its business model, operational prowess, and financial highlights, investors and potential ones will gain invaluable insights into the compelling investment opportunities that Julius Berger presents within the construction industry.