Julius Berger Nigeria Plc has issued an apology to the Nigerian Senate after failing to attend previous invitations to provide explanations regarding the abandonment of projects in the country.
Last month, the Senate, while adopting a motion by Minority Whip, Senator Osita Ngwu, issued an arrest warrant for the company’s Managing Director, Dr. Peer Lubasch, following his repeated failure to appear before the Senate Committee on Works.
Senator Ngwu had informed the Senate that Julius Berger had consistently ignored requests to explain its involvement in the Odukpani-Itu Highway project, despite receiving over N18 billion in public funds.
The company was also criticized for the alarming increase in contract costs from N54 billion to N195 billion.
In a letter dated January 10, 2025, addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senate Committee on Works Chairman Senator Barinada Mpigi, Julius Berger apologized for its absence at the hearings and acknowledged receipt of the Senate’s previous invitations.
The company explained that the failure to attend the meetings was due to miscommunication during a leadership transition, as Dr. Peer Lubasch had only recently assumed office as Managing Director and was still being briefed on ongoing projects.
The construction giant commended the leadership of the Senate President and the Senate Committee Chairman for their dedication to the welfare of Nigerians.
It assured the Senate that it would attend the next investigative hearing.
The letter, titled “Letter of Apology Re: Invitation to Investigative Hearing,” was signed by Dr. Peer Lubasch and Dr. Abdulaziz Isa Kaita, Director of Administration. It read, “We extend our respect and commend the Senate President’s leadership and the Chairman’s contributions to advancing the welfare of Nigerians. We sincerely apologize for missing the previous meeting due to miscommunication during our leadership transition. Our new Managing Director, Dr. Peer Lubasch, had just assumed office and was being briefed on ongoing projects.”
Julius Berger further expressed its commitment to supporting the National Assembly and the Federal Government in addressing infrastructure challenges and creating jobs for Nigerians.
The company assured its attendance at future meetings and expressed gratitude for the understanding of the Senate.
