News

Bodo Bonny Road Temporarily Opens, Connecting Communities And Commerce, Bringing Safe Travels And Historic Relief To Bonny Island And The Niger Delta

Published

10 months ago

December 9, 2025

Joel Ajayi

The Honourable Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, CON, FNSE, FNATE, on behalf of the President of the Federal Republic and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to delivering durable and modern infrastructure under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

He disclosed this during the temporary opening of the Bodo–Bonny Road and Bridges Across the Opobo Channel in Rivers State on Monday, 8 December, 2025. It marks a historic milestone for the riverine Bonny and Ogoni Kingdoms, bringing relief to communities that have endured decades of challenging river crossings and costly helicopter trips.

President Tinubu described the road project as a testament to the Administration’s commitment to transforming the Niger Delta region. The road, spanning 37.9 kilometres and traversing challenging terrain including thick forests, swamps, and creek networks, is the first federal road to directly link the mainland to Bonny Island, home to Nigeria’s Liquified Natural Gas (NLNG) Plant and other major energy investments. The project, awarded on the 11th of December, 2014, commenced on the 28th of October, 2017, and is approximately 90.98% complete.

The event drew a wide array of government officials and dignitaries, including the Governor of Rivers State, members of the National Assembly (NASS), Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement, South South Zone, Ms. Gift Johnbull, traditional rulers, and community elders from the host communities.

The Rivers State Governor, His Excellency, Sir Similaye Fubara, represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Benibo Anabrabawho described the day as historic, noting that families and commuters would now travel safely by road, especially during festive periods, instead of relying on hazardous waterways where dangers include strong currents and armed robbery. He expressed appreciation to President Tinubu and the Honourable Minister for rescuing the project from years of uncertainty and reiterated the State Government’s readiness to partner with the Federal Government to ensure peace and developmental progress in the oil and gas-rich region.

Senator Barinada Mpigi, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Works, who represents the area at the NASS, delivered a goodwill message, in which he praised the President for what he described as an unmistakable demonstration of care and commitment to the Ogoni people.

Engr. Umahi announced operational guidelines for the temporary opening, highlighting that the road would be open daily from within a specific time frame (7:00 am-7:00 pm), as motorcycles (“Okadas”) and tricycles (“Keke”) are barred for security and safety reasons. Heavy-duty trucks are also prohibited from plying the road until obstacles are removed and critical support infrastructure, including trailer parks, is provided. He emphasised that these measures are to safeguard the road and ensure its longevity.

The Minister also disclosed enhancements made possible through project savings to be added stating, “There will be installation of solar-powered streetlights with CCTV cameras for security and planting of trees” along the entire stretch—features that were not included in the original project plan. He further announced that the road will eventually be dualised through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP), with a toll system to ensure proper maintenance and long-term durability.

Engr. Umahi also gave insights into other key projects, the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, noting that Session 1 in Lagos is approximately 85% completed, Session 2 between Lagos and Ogun is about 40% done, and Sessions 3A and 3B in Cross River and Akwa Ibom are advancing smoothly. Preparations for Session 5 are underway, while Sessions 4A and 4B in the Ogun–Ondo axis will ultimately connect Lagos to Ogun, Ondo, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and end in Cross River. He confirmed that all sections of the East–West Road are under active construction and are expected to be completed next year.

The Honourable Minister expressed appreciation to the National Assembly and the Peace Committee for their support and resilience during earlier project disputes, and credited President Tinubu for directing the Ministry to allow the contractor to complete the project despite the cost implications. He also announced that the President is expected to visit Bodo and Bonny by March next year, noting that such visits often accelerate development and uplift communities.

He concluded with a call for peace, prosperity, and lasting progress in Rivers State and the Niger Delta, urging a strong partnership between Julius Berger and the Ministry as the road reaches its final stages.

The Coordinating Director, Highways (Bridges and Design), Engr. Musa Sa’idu described the Bodo–Bonny Road as a bridge-dominated engineering landmark featuring over 3 kilometres of bridges, including nearly 1.2 km of main bridge and major structures such as the 502-metre Alpha Creek Bridge. He emphasised the technical complexity of the project, comparing it to iconic structures such as the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, the Second Niger Bridge, as well as the Third Mainland Bridge.

Earlier the Engineers’ Representative (ER), Engr. Udom Joseph, provided technical context, highlighting the road’s design, which includes flexible pavements on sand-filled embankments, rigid pavements within Bonny town, and nine mini-bridges, in addition to three major bridges. He explained that the project has undergone several technical adjustments and financial revisions to address environmental challenges, with the original completion date set for August 2022.

Also, in a Goodwill Statement, a royal representative, on behalf of the King of Gokana Kingdom praised the Minister and acknowledged the support of the Rivers State Government, Chiefs of Gokana, Bori, and the wider Ogoni and Bonny communities, describing the project as monumental in scale and of immense benefit to Rivers State and Nigeria, at large.

Share on Facebook

News

Eagle Times Newspaper Will Be Voice for Nigerians – Publisher Chukwunyere Vows

Published

52 mins ago

October 2, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Publisher of The Eagle Times Nigeria, Sir Ikechukwu Chukwunyere, has pledged that the newspaper will promote accountability, credible journalism and public-interest reporting in its coverage of national affairs.
Chukwunyere made the commitment on Thursday, October 1, 2026, during the official unveiling and launch of The Eagle Times Nigeria.

He said the new media organisation was established not merely to add another newspaper to Nigeria’s media landscape, but to provide a platform committed to serving the public interest.

According to him, the newspaper’s guiding philosophy, “The Voice for the People, The Watchdog for the Nation,” places a responsibility on the organisation to listen to Nigerians, tell their stories, highlight issues affecting their daily lives and scrutinise those entrusted with public responsibilities.

“To be a voice for the people means that we must listen to Nigerians, tell their stories, highlight their concerns and give visibility to issues that affect their daily lives,” he said.

The publisher added that The Eagle Times would be guided by accuracy, fairness, professionalism, credibility and responsible journalism, stressing that the newspaper would not publish stories merely because they were sensational.

“We will verify. We will investigate. We will seek the other side. We will correct our mistakes when we make them,” he said.

Chukwunyere further stated that the newspaper would endeavour to give individuals and organisations the opportunity to respond whenever allegations were made against them.
“Our commitment is not to any political party, government or individual. Our primary commitment is to journalism, to truth and to the Nigerian public,” he said.

He noted that the newspaper was launching at a time when the media industry was undergoing rapid transformation, with audiences increasingly consuming news through digital platforms, including websites, television, podcasts and social media.

He said The Eagle Times would therefore operate as a multimedia organisation, combining its newspaper with digital platforms and The Eagle Times TV to reach audiences across different channels.

According to him, the organisation also intends to create opportunities for young journalists, writers, photographers, producers, digital creators and other media professionals to develop their skills and contribute to journalism and national development.

Chukwunyere said the newspaper’s coverage would include politics, governance, business, economy, security, judiciary, education, health, technology, sports, entertainment, lifestyle and international affairs.

He, however, said the organisation intended to distinguish itself not only by the subjects it covered but by the quality and approach of its journalism.

We want to tell stories that matter, we want to investigate issues that require investigation, we want to highlight Nigerians who are making a difference, and we want to give communities that are often ignored an opportunity to be heard,” he said.

The publisher acknowledged the challenges involved in establishing a newspaper, saying the venture required investment, commitment, professional discipline and the courage to pursue an idea.

He expressed appreciation to the management, editorial, reporting, production and digital teams, as well as families, friends, partners and supporters who contributed to the establishment of the organisation.

Chukwunyere also assured readers, viewers and the newspaper’s digital audience that The Eagle Times would strive to earn their trust and remain accountable to the standards it had set for itself.

He said the newspaper’s success would not be measured only by circulation figures, website traffic or social media followers, but also by the confidence Nigerians placed in its journalism.

“Today, we spread our wings. Today, The Eagle Times takes flight,” he said, reaffirming the newspaper’s commitment to its slogan: “The Voice for the People, The Watchdog for the Nation.”

Share on Facebook