By Nkechi Eze
The Federal Government of Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to infrastructure-driven national development following the successful delivery and ongoing expansion of the landmark Bodo-Bonny Road and Bridges Project, which has now been opened to traffic.
The renewed commitment was highlighted during a Medallion Award Ceremony organised by the Bodo-Bonny Road and Bridges Peace Committee on Friday, March 27, 2026, at the Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja. The event brought together national leaders, senior government officials, traditional rulers, stakeholders, and representatives of the Bodo-Bonny communities in what was widely described as a moment of shared national pride and recognition of a long-awaited infrastructure milestone.
Representing the Minister of Works, David Nweze Umahi, the Minister of State for Works, Bello Muhammad Goronyo, conveyed the goodwill of the Ministry and reaffirmed the determination of the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu to deliver critical infrastructure projects across all regions of the country.
He described the Bodo-Bonny Road and Bridges as a strategic economic corridor capable of transforming connectivity in the Niger Delta by facilitating trade, improving mobility, and integrating coastal communities into the broader national economy. According to him, the project’s delivery reflects the federal government’s commitment to policy continuity and sustained national development.
The Minister of State also acknowledged the contributions of former Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, whose tenure saw significant progress on the project, as well as the technical leadership provided by Engr. Umahi in advancing the initiative to completion.
He further commended the project contractors, particularly Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, and recognised the critical financial support provided by Nigeria LNG Limited through the Federal Government’s Tax Credit Scheme, which played a vital role in ensuring the project’s successful execution.
Goronyo also disclosed that approval has already been granted for the second phase of the project, which is expected to commence soon in order to expand infrastructure capacity and deepen economic integration across the Niger Delta region.
In his goodwill message, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Mr. Ogbodo Chinasa Nnam, described the Bodo-Bonny Road as a critical national asset with far-reaching socio-economic benefits. He stressed the importance of establishing strong maintenance frameworks to ensure the long-term sustainability of the infrastructure and encouraged similar projects to be replicated across the country.
Earlier, Chairman of the Award Ceremony Sub-Committee, Prof. Jasper Jumbo, noted that the project represents a powerful example of what can be achieved through sustained collaboration, effective stakeholder engagement, and innovative policy frameworks. He explained that several challenges encountered during the project—including funding constraints, environmental concerns, and security issues—were successfully addressed through coordinated interventions, including the implementation of Executive Order 7 and the adoption of the tax credit financing model.
The event also featured the presentation of special recognition awards and medallions to individuals and institutions whose contributions were instrumental to the initiation, development, and successful completion of the project. Among those honoured were President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister of Works David Umahi, former Minister Babatunde Raji Fashola, Minister of State for Works Bello Muhammad Goronyo, and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works, Rafiu Adeladan.
The Bodo-Bonny Road and Bridges Peace Committee was equally commended for its crucial role in fostering dialogue between stakeholders, strengthening community relations, and ensuring a peaceful environment for the successful execution of the project.
Speaking on behalf of the host communities, Elder Simialaye Young Pepple, President of the Bonny Improvement Association (Abuja Branch), expressed deep appreciation to the Federal Government for delivering what he described as a long-awaited infrastructure project. He noted that the Bodo-Bonny Road has finally addressed longstanding accessibility challenges and represents a transformative development for the Bonny Kingdom and surrounding communities.
