BBR: The Road that Ended Bonny Island’s Isolation
After decades of dependence on boats and ferries, the commissioning of the Bodo-Bonny Road has ended Bonny Island’s isolation, opening new opportunities for connectivity, trade and economic development across Rivers
For centuries, island residents had relied on ferries, speedboats and barges to traverse the water between Bonny Island and the Rivers State mainland. This journey, fraught with delays, costs, and weather uncertainties, was a way of life. However, the completion of the Bodo-Bonny Road has transformed this reality, providing a permanent road link for the first time ever.
The new connection, commissioned by Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, is more than just an infrastructure project. It unlocks faster movement of people and goods, opens new investment opportunities, and strengthens economic ties between Bonny and the rest of the country. But its significance goes beyond convenience, representing a symbol of inclusion, progress, and possibility for the island's residents.
The 39-kilometre road project, constructed through marshlands, tidal waterways, and swampy soils, included major bridge crossings over Afa Creek, Nanabie Creek, and the Opobo Channel. The undertaking required sophisticated engineering solutions, but was completed on budget within the approved timelines. The project was financed through a partnership between the Federal Government of Nigeria and NLNG Limited.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu formally commissioned the road, recognizing its national significance in Port Harcourt. The commissioning ceremony attracted government officials, traditional rulers, community leaders, business executives, and residents who viewed it as a historic breakthrough for the Niger Delta.
For Julius Berger Nigeria Plc's Managing Director, Dr. Peer Lubasch, the project's completion marks a historic milestone for both Rivers State and Nigeria, signifying a new chapter in mobility, trade, and investment. The Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, praised the road as a strategic national asset capable of enhancing regional connectivity, improving security, and boosting economic activities across the Niger Delta. He also announced plans to extend the project, linking the corridor directly to the East-West Road.
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