By Tordue Salem

ABUJA— The House of Representatives, yesterday, disclosed that the N257.1 billion Airport Road expansion contract variously awarded to Julius Berger Nigeria Limited, Aran Contractors and others, was ‘fraudulently’ upped by the Ministry of Works from the quoted and approved sum by over N2 billion.

The Managing Director of Julius Berger of Nigeria, Mr. W. Geotch, who was responding to a query by the ad hoc committee investigating the issue, admitted that the contract may have been inflated by the Ministry, but that the Company did not “take note of that”.

Berger was awarded Lots 1 and 2, from the City Gate to the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport in the Federal Capital Territory and the company quoted N58 billion for the 1st Lot, but was allegedly given N59 billion and Lot 2, quoted by Julius Berger for N48 billion, the Ministry allegedly upped it to N49 billion.

The Committee, which demanded a clarification on the differences in the contract award for the lots, may also summon the Ministry for explanation.

On 27 May, an ad hoc cmmittee on the Onex and Airport Road Expansion Project, began with the mandate of the House.

After passing a motion sponsored by Dino Melaye on the allegation about two months ago, the Speaker of the House raised an 8-member ad hoc committee led by Deputy Minority Leader, Suleiman Kawu Sumaila, to ascertain the veracity of those allegations.