Pepple Lauds Tinubu Over Commitment In Completing Bonny/Bodo Road

…Presents Expectations For Temporary Opening During Yuletide

The Chairman of Bonny Local Government Area, Hon. Abinye Blessing Pepple, has expressed profound appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his commitment to the completion of the Bonny/Bodo Road project, expected to be ready for commissioning in the first quarter of 2026.

Hon. Pepple made this known in Abuja during a meeting with the Honourable Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, where he also presented the expectations of the Bonny people regarding the temporary opening of the road during this festive season.

The meeting, which followed rising public concern over the delay in opening the 37.9km road linking Bonny to Port Harcourt, provided an opportunity for the Chairman to brief the Federal Government on the Local Government’s preparedness for the road’s smooth and secure temporary use.

Responding, Umahi announced that he will conduct a final joint inspection of the Bonny/Bodo Road on Monday, December 8, 2025, alongside officials of the Local Government and representatives of the project contractor, Julius Berger Nigeria, as part of ongoing preparations for its temporary opening to the public.

He further assured Hon. Pepple of President Tinubu’s readiness to authorize the temporary opening of the road once the inspection is completed and all safety conditions are confirmed.

The Bonny/Bodo Road project, first conceived in 1978 during the administration of Commander Alfred Diete-Spiff, then Military Governor of Rivers State, was incorporated into the Rivers State development master plan.

In 2017, the project was officially flagged-off by then Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, following a tripartite Public-Private Partnership agreement between the Federal Government, Julius Berger, and NLNG.

In 2024, President Tinubu approved an additional ₦280 billion to ensure that the long-awaited project reaches completion.

Hon. Pepple extended his gratitude to Umahi for his dedication and unwavering commitment to delivering the project under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu.

• Wilcox is the Head, Information & Public Relations Unit, Bonny LGA.