Tinubu Opens 39km Bodo-Bonny Road, Umahi Announces Extension to East-West Road

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Saturday commissioned the 39-kilometre Bodo-Bonny Road in Rivers State, marking a significant milestone in Nigeria's infrastructure development. The road, executed by Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, establishes the first permanent road connection between Bonny Island and the rest of the country. This project is expected to boost economic activities, improve transportation, and enhance the socio-economic development of communities along the corridor. The commissioning ceremony was held at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt.

The Bodo-Bonny Road project involved the construction of three major bridges across Afa Creek, the Opobo Channel, and Nanabie Creek, with a combined length of approximately 2,600 metres. Ten additional smaller bridges, measuring about 600 metres collectively, were also constructed. The project required the placement of approximately 3.5 million cubic metres of sand, the installation of 10 million linear metres of prefabricated vertical drains, and the deployment of one million square metres of geotextile materials. These engineering interventions were necessary to overcome the challenging soil conditions and guarantee the stability and long-term durability of the road.

Speaking at the event, the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, expressed satisfaction with the completion of the project. He disclosed that President Tinubu had approved an additional extension to link the road directly to the East-West Road. The extension would involve the construction of an additional 8.9-kilometre dual carriageway, amounting to 17.8 kilometres of road infrastructure, to be executed with reinforced concrete pavement. This extension is expected to further strengthen connectivity within the region, ease the movement of people and goods, and open up more economic opportunities for businesses and communities.

The Managing Director of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Engr. Dr. Peer Lubasch, described the road as a historic achievement that had brought to reality a vision pursued for more than 40 years. He explained that the 39-kilometre road traverses Bonny and Gokana Local Government Areas of Rivers State and represents a major engineering undertaking due to the difficult marshy terrain of the Niger Delta. The project was temporarily opened to traffic during the festive season last year before its full completion between May and June 2026.

The new road connection is expected to reduce transportation difficulties, facilitate the movement of agricultural produce and other goods, improve access to markets, and expand opportunities for trade and investment. Bonny Island, which hosts major oil and gas operations, including Nigeria LNG’s industrial facilities, has long been strategically important to Nigeria’s economy. However, its geographical isolation and dependence on waterways have posed transportation challenges for residents, workers, and businesses.

The average construction cost of the project was approximately N7.4 billion per kilometre, reflecting the considerable financial and engineering resources required to deliver the project. The Federal Government, Nigeria LNG Limited, the Rivers State Government, and other stakeholders contributed to the successful delivery of the project. The engineers, project managers, technical professionals, and thousands of workers who participated in the construction also deserve recognition for their efforts.

With the completion of the Bodo-Bonny Road and the proposed extension to the East-West Road, expectations are high that the project will further integrate the island into the wider regional road network and strengthen economic activities across the Niger Delta. The road represents a significant departure from decades of dependence on boats and other forms of water transportation to access the mainland, providing residents and businesses with a safer and more dependable alternative.

Key points

• The project was executed by Julius Berger Nigeria Plc at a cost of approximately N7.4 billion per kilometre.
• The road features three major bridges and ten smaller bridges.
• The project aims to boost economic activities and improve transportation in the region.