Julius Berger Completes Landmark Bodo-Bonny Road By Raymond Enoch
Leading engineering construction firm Julius Berger Nigeria PLC has completed the long-awaited 37.9-kilometre Bodo-Bonny Road project in Rivers State, marking a major milestone in the Federal Government’s efforts to improve connectivity and stimulate economic growth in the Niger Delta.
The Project Manager, Tim Nippert, disclosed on Monday that the road itself has been fully completed, with only ancillary works such as tree planting, streetlight foundation construction, and pole installations still ongoing.
Speaking from the project office at Km Zero in Bodo, Nippert explained that workers currently on site are focused on beautification and lighting enhancements, particularly around the Kilometer 12 roundabout.
“The project is completed. The outstanding works are tree planting and streetlight foundations, as well as pole installations around the Km 12 roundabout. Those are the only remaining activities,” he said.
He added that final bridge-joint installations on some of the bridges are also being concluded after delays caused by the late arrival of imported materials.
“We now have the materials and expect to complete the remaining bridge-joint works within the next two weeks,” Nippert stated.
According to him, despite the difficult swampy terrain and challenging environmental conditions, Julius Berger successfully delivered the project within the approved budget and even generated savings that are now being used to fund additional improvements.
“From the contract sum, we made some savings and the ministry approved the use of those funds for streetlights and beautification works such as tree planting. This means the government will not need to spend additional money on these enhancements,” he said.
The Bodo-Bonny Road project, which commenced on October 20, 2017, is regarded as one of Nigeria’s most ambitious coastal infrastructure developments. The road provides the first-ever direct road connection between Bonny Island and the rest of Rivers State, ending decades of transportation challenges for residents and businesses in the area.
During an inspection tour of federal road projects in the South-South and South-East regions in October 2025, the Minister of Works, David Umahi, directed that the road be opened to users by the end of November 2025 while final finishing works continued.
Umahi noted that although the project had undergone several cost reviews over its eight-year lifespan, the investment remained justified given the difficult terrain and engineering complexities involved.
“This is a coastal route passing through marshy lands. If this project were to be executed today, it would cost over ₦15 billion per kilometre. The quality of work is excellent, and I am pleased with the commitment demonstrated by the project team,” the minister had said.
He also revealed plans for solar-powered streetlights, CCTV surveillance systems, and landscaping along the corridor, all funded through contingency savings without additional financial burden on the government.
The Bodo-Bonny Road stands out as a model of public-private partnership, with 50 per cent of the project financing provided by Nigeria LNG Limited. The road is expected to significantly improve access to Bonny Island, a strategic industrial hub that hosts major oil and gas facilities and contributes substantially to Nigeria’s economy.
The project involved the construction of a nearly 39-kilometre highway, multiple culverts, two mini bridges, the 530-metre Afa Creek Bridge, the 640-metre Nanabie Creek Bridge, and a major 750-metre bridge across the Opobo Channel. Engineers also carried out extensive dredging and specialised soil stabilisation works to overcome the region’s challenging swamp conditions.
In a further boost to the region, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved Phase Two of the Bodo-Bonny Road project.
Announcing the development at a recent Medallion Award presentation organised by the Bodo-Bonny Road and Bridges Peace Committee in Abuja, Umahi—represented by the Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo—described the road as more than a transport corridor.
“This road is a bridge to opportunity, a lifeline for commerce, and a symbol of national cohesion. It connects coastal communities to the mainland, reduces insecurity, and opens doors for prosperity across the Niger Delta,” he said.
According to the minister, preparations for the second phase have already commenced, with the ministry moving swiftly to begin implementation.
Earlier, Chairman of the Planning Committee for the Bodo-Bonny Road Award Ceremony, Jasper Jumbo, described the completion of the project as a historic achievement for communities that had waited nearly four decades to see the dream become reality.
With completion now in sight and Phase Two already approved, the Bodo-Bonny Road is set to become one of the most transformative infrastructure projects in the Niger Delta, enhancing mobility, boosting trade, and strengthening economic integration across the region.
