By Emeka Amaefula
PRESIDENT TINUBU’S RENEWED HOPE AGENDA: PROMISE FULFILLED AS BONNY ISLAND — BODO FEDERAL ROAD PROJECT CONCEIVED IN 1978 OPENS TO THE PUBLIC
By Emeka Amaefula
In what stands as one of the most symbolic infrastructure victories for the Niger Delta and Nigeria at large, the iconic 39-kilometre Bonny Island–Bodo Federal Road and Bridges corridor—first conceived in 1978—will officially open to vehicular movement on Monday, December 8, 2025, fulfilling a generational promise under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
After more than four decades of stalled contracts, abandoned pilings, and repeated budget mentions, the Federal Government has finally delivered a functional land link between Bonny Island and the Rivers State mainland. This milestone marks the first time in history that Bonny Island, host to the Nigeria LNG (NLNG) complex and one of Africa’s most strategic energy hubs, will enjoy uninterrupted highway access without dependence on ferries or marine schedules.
The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, will lead a joint inspection and formal opening ceremony, accompanied by officials of the Federal Ministry of Works, NLNG, Julius Berger PLC, top security formations, and Chairmen of Bonny and Gokana Local Government Areas.
A 47-Year Journey of Abandonment, Resuscitation, and Delivery
Originally designed in 1978, the Bonny–Bodo project epitomised federal project stagnation. It was awarded four different times, with three failed attempts before 2015. A particularly cited breakdown was the 2002 contract to Gitto Construction, which left behind a short, disconnected bridge structure that later had to be dismantled when Julius Berger took over.
A 2012 House of Representatives inquiry condemned the slow pace, noting that despite more than ₦10.4 billion in mobilisation—representing 43% of the original contract amount—less than 12% physical progress had been achieved in nearly a decade.
The transformative breakthrough came in 2017 when the Federal Government adopted innovative funding through the Executive Order 7 Infrastructure Tax Credit Scheme, bringing NLNG in as a 50% co-financier, with Julius Berger engaged as engineering contractor. This approach finally insulated the project from cashflow disruptions that had crippled earlier phases.
Engineering Through Marshland and Tidal Channels
The project consists of three major bridges crossing Afa Creek (530m), Nanabie Creek (640m), and the Opobo Channel (750m), alongside 10 supporting mini-bridges traversing swamp beds and tidal zones. These elevated sections alone constitute nearly two kilometres of suspended infrastructure. The remainder of the 39-kilometre stretch is asphalt highway reinforced to withstand seasonal flooding and marshland pressure.
Federal Executive Council approval in July 2021 revised the project value from ₦120.6 billion to ₦199.923 billion following design alterations and inflation realities. Additional bridges were included to safely bypass hydrocarbon pipelines, rather than relocate them.
A New Economic Artery for the Niger Delta
The commissioning coincides with Bonny’s ongoing economic boom, including the $10 billion NLNG Train-7 expansion, projected to increase national LNG output by 35 percent. With the new road, logistics, tourism, energy operations, emergency response and agricultural exchange between Bonny and neighbouring LGAs are expected to surge significantly.
Minister Umahi’s decision to prioritise the December opening aligns with advocacy led by Bonny LGA Chairman, Hon. Abinye Pepple, who has continuously advanced community concerns, particularly ahead of festive traffic influx. A mid-November stakeholder town hall harmonised operational plans between security agencies, transport unions, and traditional institutions.
Renewed Hope Delivered
Beyond its concrete and steel, the Bonny–Bodo Federal Road stands as a symbolic reaffirmation of public trust in governance continuity. Conceived under previous administrations, revived under the Buhari–Osinbajo Niger Delta framework, and delivered under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the project represents collaborative federal will finally brought to completion.
On Monday, December 8, 2025, as traffic rolls smoothly from Bonny Island to Bodo for the first time in almost five decades, Nigerians will witness infrastructure justice long delayed, now fulfilled.
——–Emeka Amaefula —-+234(0/8111813069—
