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Julius Berger Nigeria Plc and the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited, in a unique corporate social responsibility initiative, have collaborated and rebuilt the historic Bonny Consulate Building in the ancient Bonny Kingdom.
The partnership for the project between Julius Berger and the NLNG began two years earlier when both corporations came together to sign a Memorandum of Understanding at Grand Bonny to commence thereconstruction of the historic BonnyConsulate Building.
At the project commissioning ceremony on Saturday, 5 March 2022, both Managing Directors of Julius Berger and the NLNG, Engr. Dr. Lars Richter and Dr. Philip Mshelbila respectively, celebrated the good relationship between the companies and the Bonny community.
Richter who described the project as far-reaching in significance also said it has a potential to boost the prominence of Bonny Island. He recalled that way back in the 15th century, Bonny was a major international trading post, which in the course of time has transformed into a central hub renowned for natural gas exploration and production inNigeria.
Richter traced the relationship between Julius Berger and the Grand Bonny Kingdom to the mid-1990’s, that is, over 20 years to date, when as a major contractor, the company was entrusted with the development of infrastructural work for NLNG’s first liquefied natural gas plant on Bonny Island. Since entering the Isnad, Julius Berger, he added, has “continuously and harmoniously working on significant projects on the Island, including most recently, the construction of the Bodo-Bonny Road, which shall soon be the first road link into Bonny Island, and which, upon completion, will serve as a catalyst for the continued success of the Island and the greater advancement of the Niger Delta.”
Speaking further, Richter said, “…partnering with NLNG for the reconstruction of the Bonny Consulate Building, has providedJulius Berger the opportunity to deepen (Julius Berger’s) CSR efforts, and to contribute towardspreserving the rich history of theIsland, by applying our knowhowand expertise for the development of a purposeful buildinginfrastructure.” With brimming professional confidence, the Julius Berger Managing Director added that,“…we constructed the consulateaccording to our trusted standards of quality, reliability and high-valuepartnership”. The aim, he emphasized, is to ensure the greatestintegrity in restoring the memory of the original Consulate Building whilealso delivering a highly functioningstructure that futuristically stands tosupport the aspirations of His RoyalMajesty, to diversify the economy of the Grand Bonny Kingdom through tourism.
Saying that Julius Berger is honouredto partner with NLNG for constructionof the Bodo-Bonny Road and the Bonny Consulate Building considering the socio-economic impact of both projects, Engr. Dr. Richter on behalf of the Board and entire management of JuliusBerger, thanked NLNG for theircollaboration, which he said “standsstrong and proud to support thecontinued development of BonnyIsland….”
Richter also thanked the King and people of the ancient Grand of Bonny Kingdom for their continued trust and cooperation.
The Governor of Rivers State His Excellency, Chief Nyesom Wike, ably represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr (Mrs) Ipalibo Harry Banigo, His Royal Majesty King Edward Asimini William Dappa Pepple III, JP, CON, Perekule XI, the Amayanabo of Grand Bonny Kingdom, the chairman of the Bonny Council of Chiefs, Chief (Ambassador) Claude Dagogo-Wilcox, the Managing Director of the NLNG, Dr. Philip Mshelbila, and other important dignitaries at the commissioning ceremony also celebrated and praised the developmental Julius Berger-NLNG CSR partnership, which in a timely, qualitative and with exemplary professionalism and show of respect for communal values, successfully delivered the Bonny Consulate Building as desirably conceived.
The Julius Berger delegation to the event was led by the company’s Managing Director, Engr. Dr. Lars Richter. Other members of the Julius Berger entourage included Coordinator, Executive Projects, Koehler Kai-Uwe, Operations Manager, Bonny Consulate Building & Bodo-Bonny Road Project Engr. Ulrich Stahl, Technical Manager, Engr. Ingo Edinger; and Project Manager, Bodo-Bonny Road Project, Engr. Thomas Haug.
1. L-R: HIS ROYAL MAJESTY, KING EDWARD ASIMINI WILLIAM DAPPA PEPPLE III, JP, CON, PEREKULE XI, AMAYANABO OF GRAND BONNY KINGDOM; THE DEPUTY GOVERNOR OF RIVERS STATE, HER EXCELLENCY, DR (MRS) IPALIBO HARRY BANIGO; MANAGING DIRECTOR OF NLNG, DR PHILIP MSHELBILA; AND THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF JULIUS BERGER NIGERIA PLC, ENGR. DR. LARS RICHTER AT THE COMMISSIONING OF THE BONNY CONSULATE BUILDING IN GRAND BONNY KINGDOM, RECENTLY