- Assures completion of project March 2026, Lauds Julius Berger
EMMANUEL NLEWEDUM, Port Harcourt
The Federal Government has temporarily opened the 37.9km Bodo/Bonny Road in Rivers State for the usage and convenience of the people, while assuring the completion of the project in March 2026.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by the Minister of Works, David Umahi, was in company of the Chairmen Senate Committee and House of Reps Committee on Works, Senator Barry Mpigi and Hon. Akin Alabi, as he officially opened the road on Monday, December 8, 2025.
Speaking at the event, President Tinubu said the road was temporarily opened to ease the sufferings and stress of the people traveling through Rivers State, and to also improve the economic value of the people of Bodo, Bonny, Rivers State and Nigerians in general.
He reiterated the Federal government’s commitment in transforming the Niger Delta region.
The President gave conditions for operations on the road, and announced a ban on motorcycles, tricycles and heavy duty trucks on the road.
“We are so enthused and we thank God very highly for today. On his own, the President said to me, I want to see a different festive mood within the Bodo and the kingdom of Bonny.
“We have been directed to come here with the National Assembly members and, of course, Rivers State Government and the good people of Bodo and Bonny to temporarily open this route for the good use of Nigerians.
“The permanent opening/official commissioning of this landmark project is going to be done by Mr. President himself.
But today we are temporarily opening the road for the convenience of the people, for the safety of the people, for the economic values of the people and Nigerians in general.
“We are opening the route with the conditions. First, it will be in operation on a daily basis and never to close again from 7am to 7pm. There will be no night journey on the route.
“Secondly, we don’t want big vehicles and heavy trucks on the road so we don’t have problems that could lead to heavy traffic on the route.
Also, no okada and no keke will be allowed on this route for now. I would like our people to escalate this thing through social media and television and newspapers,” he said.
The President also lauded the contractor, Julius Berger and its management for doing a good job and for their commitment in ensuring that the project is delivered in record time.
He also commended the Rivers State Government, the people of Bodo and Bonny kingdom for their support and cooperation and urged for more.
“I have big commendation to Julius Berger, especially Engineer Timi. Julius Berger has done very, very beautiful work.”
President Tinubu further disclosed the intention of the Federal Government to introduce tow gates to the road when completed, for security and proper maintenance of the road.
“We need to tow this road for proper maintenance. To build a road is not a problem, but it is to maintain it. And the present kind of road architecture is totally different. When we are towing the road, we will tow it in two points. So, we are putting it forward for those who can, you know, bid for it and maintain.”
The President added that, “We’re also offering again for a second carriageway under PPP. Those who want to invest, they can come for the biding of a second carriageway.
This carriageway cannot sustain all the traffic for the next five years. So, we have to think of a second carriageway which is going to be a kind of good start highway built on concrete.”
He reiterated the federal government’s commitment in transforming the Niger Delta region, and assured the completion of all sections of the East West Roads across the region under construction by 2026.
The Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara described the construction and opening of the Bodo/Bonny Road as historic and a dream come true.
Governor Fubara, represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Benibo Anabraba, expressed heartfelt appreciation of Rivers people to President Tinubu and the federal government for the project which he described as laudable.
He pledged continued support of the Rivers State Government and the people of Rivers State to the president and the federal government.
In their separate speeches, the King of Bonny kingdom, His Majesty, Edward William Dappa-Pepple, the Gberemene of Gokana, and King of Ataba kingdom in Andoni LGA, thanked President Tinubu for not abandoning the project initiated by his predecessors.
The traditional rulers, on behalf of their people, expressed satisfaction with the quality of the project and promised to continuously support the contractors and the government to ensure a successful completion.
Speaking earlier, the Managing Director of Julius Berger, represented the Project Manager, Tim Nippert thanked the Federal Government for the trust on them, and expressed commitment to ensure the project is completed and delivered on scheduled date.
The Bodo Bonny Road Project is a landmark federal infrastructure development designed to provide a permanent and reliable land connection between Bodo Town on the mainland and Bonny Island in Rivers State.
The road when completed, will serve as the arterial link to Bonny Island where the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited and other oil companies carry out their major operations.
The project was awarded on 11th December 2014 and commencement date was October 20th 2017, marking the beginning of a critical national investment aimed at enhancing socio-economic activities in the Niger Delta region.
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