Tinubu commissions Bodo-Bonny Road, links Bonny Island to mainland

President Bola Tinubu has commissioned the 39-kilometre Bodo-Bonny Road in Rivers State, establishing the first permanent road connection between Bonny Island and the mainland after decades of reliance on water transportation.

The road, constructed by Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, was commissioned on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at a ceremony held at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt, attended by government officials, traditional rulers and other stakeholders.

The project traverses Bonny and Gokana Local Government Areas and features major bridges across Afa Creek, the Opobo Channel and Nanabie Creek.

Speaking at the event, Minister of Works, David Umahi, said Tinubu had approved an additional 8.9-kilometre dual carriageway to extend the project and connect it to the East-West Road.

Umahi said the extension would involve 17.8 kilometres of road construction, using reinforced concrete pavement, to improve connectivity, ease transportation and expand economic opportunities along the corridor.

He put the average construction cost at approximately N7.4bn per kilometre, citing the extensive engineering requirements, particularly the bridges across the Opobo Channel.

Tinubu formally declared the road open after unveiling the commissioning plaque, which identified the infrastructure as the Bodo-Bonny Road, including bridges across the Opobo Channel along Route F430 in Rivers State.

Speaking on the sidelines of the commissioning, Managing Director of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Peer Lubasch, described the project as a historic achievement that fulfilled a vision spanning more than four decades.

“Today marks a historic milestone, not only for the people of Rivers State, but for Nigeria as a nation. For the very first time, Bonny Island is permanently connected to the mainland by road infrastructure,” Lubasch said.

He disclosed that the road was temporarily opened to traffic during the festive period in 2025 and completed between May and June 2026.

Lubasch said the project involved extensive engineering work in the difficult marshy terrain of the Niger Delta, including the construction of three major bridges measuring approximately 2,600 metres in combined length.

The project also features 10 smaller bridges with a combined length of about 600 metres.

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According to him, construction 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 use of one million square metres of geotextile materials.

He said the engineering solutions were designed to address the challenging ground conditions and ensure the road’s stability and durability.

Lubasch added that the road would stimulate commerce, improve socio-economic development and provide a safer alternative to water transportation for thousands of residents and businesses.

“Today, this road will significantly improve connectivity, stimulate commerce, enhance socio-economic development and, most importantly, provide a safer and more reliable alternative to water transportation for thousands of Nigerians,” he said.

He commended the Federal Government, Nigeria LNG Limited, the Rivers State Government and other stakeholders for their contributions to the project, while acknowledging the engineers, technical professionals and workers involved in its construction.

The road is expected to ease the movement of people and goods between Bonny Island and the mainland, improve access to markets and economic opportunities, and reduce the island’s long-standing dependence on waterways.