President Tinubu orders temporary opening of N280bn Bodo-Bonny Road in Rivers

…Road not yet open to bikes and heavy-duty trucks

‎President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has opened a large section of the N280bn Bodo-Bonny Road, measuring 37.9 kilometres, from 7am to 7pm daily. This has ended years of river crossings and helicopter rides as the only transport method to Bonny Island. Motorbikes and heavy trucks are not yet.

‎‎Represented by Dave Umahi, the Minister of Works, at the opening ceremony at Bodo in Gokana LGA and Bonny in Bonny LGA axis of the road, President Tinubu described the road, which has run through many administrations, as a flagship achievement of his ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’.‎

‎He proclaimed, “The dream of the Bonny Kingdom has come true; the dream of the Bodo Kingdom has come true. No more risky journeys through the busy Bonny River, no more expensive helicopters, no more untold hardships to reach this blessed island.”

Read also: Julius Berger gets one-year deadline to complete N280bn Bodo-Bonny road

‎“For now, the road is open only for light vehicles from 7am to 7pm daily. Heavy-duty trucks, motorcycles and tricycles are barred until final completion, targeted for March 2026.”

‎President ‎Tinubu applauded the efforts of Julius Berger, especially the Project Manager, who he said ensured that no obstacle stood in the way of the project.

‎He called for greater collaboration with the Rivers State Government to enable the construction of trailer parks at each section of the Bodo and Bonny road.

‎‎He warned that indiscriminate parking by trucks would not be acceptable, as it would accelerate the road’s deterioration.

‎‎Gov Sim Fubara of Rivers State, represented by Benibo Anabraba, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), thanked President Tinubu for rescuing the project from abandonment and appealed for more federal interventions.

‎‎He said, “This is the temporary opening of the Bonny-Bodo Road, but Mr President, it is a permanent joy for the people of Bonny, Bodo and Rivers State. We thank you for what you are doing for the people of the Niger Delta Region. Because of our natural environment, we face different obstacles, like Oliver Twist, we will ask for more.”

Read also: FG offers additional 20.5 bn for completion of Bodo-Bonny Road

‎‎Barinada Mpigi, chairman, Senate Committee on Works, appreciated President Tinubu’s love for the Ogoni people and pledged continued support for the administration.

‎‎Tim Nippert, Julius Berger’s Project Manager, confirmed that 35km of the dual carriageway was fully motorable, assuring delivery of the remaining sections in the first quarter of 2026.

‎‎The Bodo-Bonny Road, with 11 bridges, is the first federal road linking the mainland directly to Bonny Island, home to Nigeria LNG and other multi-billion dollar oil and gas investments.

‎‎The multi-billion-naira project, awarded on December 11, 2014, and commenced on October 20, 2017, is being constructed by Julius Berger Nigeria Plc.

Join BusinessDay whatsapp Channel, to stay up to date