As part of their shared concerns on the need for a safer road in the country, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) have resolved to strengthen their collaboration in ensuring safety on our roads.
The collaboration was entered into last week during a visit to the management of Julius Berger by the FCT Sector of the FRSC led by its commander, Felix N. Theman, who used the opportunity to commend what he described as the exceptional quality of work and unwavering standards of the leading construction company over the years.
Theman noted the cordial working relationship that has flourished between Julius Berger Nigeria PLC and the FRSC in the FCT, adding that with 28 years of experience in the Corps, he had the privilege to closely collaborate with Julius Berger, particularly concerning the critical infrastructure projects they undertake across the nation.
He emphasized the importance of roads in Nigeria’s economy, stating, no nation can progress without the necessary infrastructure to support its economy.
Theman said; Roads play a vital role in our daily lives. Julius Berger has distinguished itself through the quality of its work and the high standards it has maintained over the years.
Theman said that while Julius Berger is committed to delivering quality roads, bridges, and interchanges, it must always be remembered that the roads are for human use, stressing that Nigeria has not yet reached a point where vehicles drive themselves as people still operate the vehicles. According to Theman; “This necessitates character, discipline, and patience on the roads. We must ensure that the beautiful roads built do not become sites of accidents due to reckless driving or disregard for traffic regulations. At FRSC, we focus on enforcement, public education, advocacy, and providing guidance to enhance road safety”.
Theman praised Julius Berger’s support to the Corps over the years, saying; “Julius Berger has been a supportive partner from the beginning. I recall receiving traffic cones and reflective jackets donated by Julius Berger many years ago, which have contributed significantly to our efforts”.
Welcoming the FRSC FCT Commander and his team to the company, Julius Berger’s Director of Administration, Alh. Dr. Abdulaziz Isa Kaita expressed the company’s commitment to enhancing road safety and fostering collaboration with the FRSC.
Kaita said, “At Julius Berger, we view ourselves as partners in progress and are eager to continue our collaborations. We are proud of our reputation for quality, evidenced by the roads we have constructed in Abuja over the past 30 years. Recently, we received an award from the American Society of Civil Engineers as the Best Construction Company in Nigeria, recognizing our consistent quality”.
Kaita further highlighted innovations such as the Cold Recycling Technology used on the Abuja-Kano Expressway, which received international recognition saying, Julius Berger is known for its commitment to safety, having installed weight and speed-limiting devices in its trucks, along with offering annual driver certification exercises and defensive driving courses.
He also said that at all times and circumstances, the company is ready to work with the Corps for safety on Abuja roads, adding that as a corporate citizen, Julius Berger has among its core values, pragmatic collaboration with organisations that have and manifest plausible Nigerian-friendly qualities.
“We are a fully owned Nigerian company with the core value of collaboration underlining our every action insofar as in doing so, such collaborating organisations identify with the Nigerian-friendly people”, Kaita said.
In his remarks, Julius Berger’s Corporate Health, Safety and Environment, HSE Manager, Peter Drillingcourt said, Julius Berger has a pretty good relationship with FRSC in the areas of clearance of road crashes, among others
He said the company is aware of the need to survive with the assistance of the FRSC, hence the very good relationship between the two organisations.
According to Drillingcourt; “We saw the challenges in prosecuting the road safety. So, we are investing a lot in the training and retraining our drivers, especially in defensive driving. We have even introduced accident-free bonuses and annual medicals. for all our drivers to get the best from them in the discharge of their duties”.
On the delegation of the FCT FRSC Management Team to the event were the Corps Commander Felix N. Theman, Deputy Corps Commanders (DCC), II Nzapisma; Superintendent Route Commander, JS Aina, Superintendent Route Commander, Adedeji Adesoye, and Assistant Route Commander CC Igbo. The Director, Administration at Julius Berger, Alh. Dr. Abdulaziz Kaita led team comprised the Corporate HSE Manager, Peter Drillingcourt and Assistant HSE Manager, Trust Ekaji as well as Olivia Uzoma and Emmanuel Isibor, both of the Media Relations Office.
