By Mike Odiakose, Abuja 

Engineering construction giant, Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, has won the maiden Award for Leadership in Sustainable Construction organized by global industry watchdog, American Society of Engineers, ASCE, through its Sustainable Infrastructure Recognition Awards, SIRA platform.

At the just ended 2025 Sustainable Infrastructure Conference of the Society held in Lagos, ASCE stated that SIRA is Nigeria’s premier platform for celebrating excellence in sustainable, climate-resilient and impactful infrastructure delivery for which individuals, organizations and projects that transform the built environment through innovation, resilience and bold leadership, are honored.

Accordingly, the ASCE said Julius Berger Nigeria PLC is eminently qualified to be crowned with the Leadership in Sustainable Construction Award for its groundbreaking achievements across sustainable construction and engineering practices, green energy infrastructure, indigenous construction leadership, and climate-aligned design.

Citing the company’s application of the novel Bitumen Stabilised Materials, BSM initiative in construction works, especially on the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano road project in one of the presentations, ASCE declared that, we are celebrating those who are not just building but building better for our future; adding that this is the moment to move from policy to performance, from ideas to impact and from construction to conscience.

The Society’s Nigeria Section President, Engr. Austin Odibi, in applauding Julius Berger’s initiative declared that JBN’s BSM technology is a compelling novelty in construction works even as the ASCE Executive Director, Tom Smith praised the application of BSM technology and recommended its use globally.

“I commend Julius Berger for the BSM technology. That it is being awarded the Leadership in Sustainable Construction today underscores this fact. Kudos to the company. We recommend BSM technology for general construction applications globally, even in the United States,” he said.

In a presentation on Statistical Evaluation of Indirect Tensile Strength and Unconfined Compressive Strength in Bitumen Stabilized Materials: Case Study of the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Highway as constructed by Julius Berger, by Dr. Abdulmuminu Ahmed Shauibu of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, he concluded that, the innovation is a welcome development in the construction sector which must be encouraged.

The Academic concluded his presentation thus: Julius Berger has attempted to contribute to developing cost-effective infrastructure, environmental-friendly infrastructure, as well as sustainable infrastructure by the use of cold recycling technology by means of bitumen-stabilized material; … and the federal government actually accepted it due to its numerous potentials to address sustainability problems, like going to explore virgin materials which can affect the ecosystem, destroy wetlands, etc was mitigated. And because this type of maintenance activity relies heavily on the milled material from the asphalt pavement, which means you are using the distressed pavement. It is now effective.

In accepting the Award, the Director of Administration, Alh. Abdulaziz Kaita appreciated the honour and recognition given to Julius Berger and its efforts at uplifting the country construction industry by pioneering the BSM technology. He added that beyond the BSM technology, Julius Berger has done a lot and still doing much in the built sector.

The BSM technology has been able to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goal 9 and 13, industry innovation and infrastructure and also climate condition. And in terms of energy consumption and energy release, you can tell that it is very low. In this light, our collaboration with the Department of Civil Engineering of Ahmadu Bello University on the BSM technology, knows no bound. We are seriously nourishing the arrangement, and we are doing a lot in the built sector, beyond the BSM technology issue, Kaita said.

Apart from the Director, Administration of Julius Berger at the event, a Project Coordinator in Region West, Engr. Fatima Kosemani among others were at the event.

From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa

Bayelsa State government has commended the Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN) for propagating the teachings of Jesus Christ and its intervention programmes towards providing succour to people affected by natural disasters.The Deputy Governor, Sen.

Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo gave the commendation recently when the Christian Council of Nigeria, South-South zone, paid him a courtesy call in Government House, Yenagoa. He expressed delight that the CCN had offered to support the state’s development initiatives which he described as laudable and also congratulated the new South-South Zone executive members of the foremost Christian organisation in the country on their election.Ewhrudjakpo implored the current executives to make a difference by consolidating on the gains of their predecessors and demonstrate exemplary leadership, stressing that true leaders respond to the yearnings and aspirations of the people.Commenting on the interaction between the church and society, the deputy governor expressed displeasure over the church’s inability to adequately play the role of catering to the welfare of the less privileged.According to him, the churches should not place unnecessary burden on their adherents but allow them to make free will donations to support their programmes and projects.He also frowned at the practice whereby the church now placed more emphasis on materialism to the detriment of spiritual wellbeing as exemplified in the scriptures which enjoin humanity “to seek first the kingdom of God and all other things shall be added unto them.”Ewhrudjakpo further noted that one of the major concerns of the church should be about attracting people to the word of God for redemption and salvation as well as taking care of the needy.On the CCN’s request for land in Bayelsa, he expressed the government’s willingness to provide land for the purpose of establishing the National Research institute for the South-South zone.In their presentations, the National General Secretary of CCN, Rt. Rev. Evans Onyemara, and the South-South Zonal Chairman, Rev. Dr Jonathan Ihwighwu, said they were in the state to hold a zonal meeting as well as inaugurate the new executive of the CCN, South-South zone.Rt Rev Onyemara explained that aside from its evangelical mission, the CCN also provides humanitarian services and assists in developmental issues.He added that in 2022, the General Assembly of the CCN resolved that the South-South zone should establish what it called, the Institute of Church and Society and appealed to the state government to provide land for the building of a national research institute in Bayelsa for the South-South zone.The Bayelsa State Chairman of CCN, who is also the Bishop of the Northern Izon Diocese, Anglican Communion, Rt Rev. Funkuro Amgbari, that of Rivers State, Rev Dr Innocent Ordu and their Akwa Ibom, Delta, Cross River and Edo counterparts accompanied the Zonal Chairman on the visit.The Highlight of the visit was the offering of prayers for Governor Douye Diri, Senator Ewhrudjakpo and the entire government and people of Bayelsa.

From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa

Bayelsa State Government has again indicated its determination for effective collaboration with reputable individuals and firms to harness the abundant resources in the Blue Economy sector of the state.The Deputy Governor, Sen. Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, indicated the state’s readiness at a dinner organized by the state government in honour of participants of the Senior Executive Course(SEC) 47, 2025 of the National Institute For Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) in Yenagoa, at the weekend.

Ewhrudjakpo, described Bayelsa as a state richly endowed with not only oil and gas but also huge marine resources as low hanging fruits waiting for investors to pluck.To this end, he called on private and other corporate investors to look at Bayelsa for new investment opportunities in the blue economy sector, especially in the area of developing a deep sea port.He also reiterated the foresightedness of the present Bayelsa State Government in establishing a ministry of marine and blue economy, and assured prospective investors of the safety of their investments in the state.The Deputy Governor urged the participants of the Senior Executive Course 47 to act as ambassadors of Bayelsa and tell the world about the potentialities of Bayelsa in the blue economy sector.Ewhrudjakpo equally implored the team to make its report available to the state government in good time, stressing that Bayelsa was looking forward to the outcome of their study in the state believing it will help in the development of the sector.His words: “We are happy that you are happy. We are here to round off what we started some few days ago. As we all know, everything that has a beginning must have an end.”We believe that in Bayelsa we have the potential for a vibrant marine and blue economy. That is why the present administration created a separate full-fledged ministry to oversee that critical sector. We are the first state to do so in the country.”Just as oil and gas, the marine and blue economy is also very important to us. And so, we are looking forward to the outcome of your study so we can see what we can achieve with it in the area of blue economy.”We want you to be our ambassadors and tell other people that Bayelsa is investment friendly. Bayelsa is also very safe for investment.”For the participants, I believe that your coming today will add to our thinking capacity and we are open to all the critiques that will come with it.”Earlier in his opening remarks, Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei, lauded participants of the Senior Executive Course (SEC) 47, 2025 for their choice of Bayelsa and the discipline they all exhibited throughout the period of the study tour.Prof Ayawei, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, SSG’s Office, Mr Felix Asingbi, expressed optimism that their visit will open up opportunities for the state to make progress in the development of its blue economy potential.Also speaking, the Leader of the NIPSS Study Team, Air Vice Marshal Mohammed Umar, commended the Bayelsa State government for what he described as exceptional hospitality accorded to members of the team.He said going round the state enabled the team to have first-hand knowledge of Bayelsa’s huge potential in the blue economy sector, and urged the government to vigorously pursue the development of the sector.