By Nkechi Eze
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commissioned the 37.9-kilometre Bodo-Bonny Road in Rivers State, bringing to reality a 76-year-old dream conceived in 1950 but left unfulfilled for generations.
The historic commissioning took place on Saturday, November 7, 2026, in Rivers State, marking a major milestone in the Federal Government’s efforts to expand road infrastructure and improve connectivity in the Niger Delta.
The Minister of Works, Senator Engr. David Umahi, who spoke at the commissioning, expressed excitement over the completion of the project, noting that President Tinubu had also approved an additional 8.9-kilometre dual carriageway extension to connect the road to the East-West Road.
According to an official statement signed by Francis Nwaze, Senior Special Assistant to the Honourable Minister of Works (Media), the 37.9-kilometre project was completed at a total cost of N280 billion and features approximately three kilometres of bridges across the Opobo Channel.
The road provides the people of Bonny with a direct, modern road connection to Bodo and the wider road network, ending decades of dependence on limited transportation options and improving access to economic and commercial activities.
Umahi disclosed that the approved extension would translate to 17.8 kilometres of reinforced concrete pavement, further enhancing connectivity, easing transportation and creating greater economic opportunities for communities and businesses along the corridor.
He noted that the additional project would strengthen the strategic importance of the Bodo-Bonny Road by linking it directly to the East-West Road.
The minister explained that the project represented a major engineering investment, particularly because of the extensive bridge infrastructure constructed across the Opobo Channel, putting the average construction cost at approximately N7.4 billion per kilometre.
The completion of the Bodo-Bonny Road is expected to improve the movement of people and goods, stimulate economic activities and strengthen access to Bonny Island, which hosts strategic economic assets in Rivers State.
