President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has praised leading engineering and construction firm, Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, for the quality and scale of work delivered on the 35.7-kilometre Bodo–Bonny Road project, describing ongoing construction as a legacy achievement that will make Nigerians proud and significantly improve safety along the corridor.
The President gave the commendation through the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, during the temporary opening of the road to ease movement for residents and travellers within the Bodo and Bonny communities during the yuletide festivities.
According to President Tinubu, the project has been marked by years of challenges and delays, but the commitment of all stakeholders has brought it to a crucial milestone.
“This road has been a long journey with delays and challenges along the way, but through the patience and cooperation of the communities, we have finally reached this important milestone. And the contractor has continued to do a beautiful job here,” the President said.
Temporary Opening Directed by the President
Explaining the rationale behind the temporary opening, Minister Umahi revealed that the directive came personally from President Tinubu, who wanted residents of the area to experience a different festive season.
“The President said to me, ‘I want to see a different festive mood in Bodo and in the Kingdom of Bonny.’ He directed me to come here with members of the National Assembly, the state government, and the good people of Bodo and Bonny to temporarily open this route for the use of Nigerians. That is why we are here today,” Umahi stated.
The minister, however, emphasised that the current opening is strictly temporary, noting that the formal commissioning of the road will be performed by President Tinubu himself upon full completion.
“The permanent opening is going to be done by Mr. President. I know the Niger Delta people are expecting him next year, and he will come to commission this road for the convenience, safety, and economic benefit of the people and Nigeria at large,” he said.
Conditions for Use of the Road
Umahi outlined specific conditions guiding the temporary use of the road, stressing safety and preservation of ongoing construction works. These include:
Daily operation limited to 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
No night travel on the route
No heavy-duty vehicles, pending removal of concrete barriers
No commercial motorcycles (okada) or tricycles (keke) allowed
He explained that the restrictions are necessary to prevent vehicle breakdowns and disruptions while construction is still ongoing. Julius Berger was also directed to mount roadblocks to ensure compliance and prevent unauthorised heavy traffic.
High Praise for Julius Berger Team
Commending the contractor, Umahi expressed strong appreciation for the current Julius Berger management and project team, noting their responsiveness and professionalism.
“I have a big commendation to Julius Berger, especially the current team. If we had them earlier, we would not have had many of the disputes that nearly threatened this project. Julius Berger, you have done very, very beautiful work,” he said.
He singled out Project Manager, Engineer Tim Nippert, and Managing Director, Peer Lubasch, describing them as receptive to dialogue, instructions and attention to detail.
“They are very amenable to discussions and collaboration, and with the new Managing Director, Julius Berger can relaunch strongly in the construction sector,” Umahi added.
Additional Works Ahead of Completion
Ahead of final completion, the Minister also issued further directives to Julius Berger to enhance the road’s environmental and safety features.
“I am tasking Julius Berger to plant two rows of trees, 10 metres from the road on both sides, from beginning to end, and to install solar streetlights at 30-metre intervals on both sides. These must be completed before the final handover,” he said.
Stakeholders Laud Project Progress
Earlier in his remarks, Project Manager, Tim Nippert, traced the long and challenging journey of the project, noting that improved collaboration with the Ministry of Works and host communities has been instrumental in reaching the current stage.
Well-wishers at the event—including members of the National Assembly, traditional rulers from the host communities, and representatives of the Rivers State Government led by the Secretary to the State Government—commended the Federal Government, the Rivers State Government, and Julius Berger for their commitment to delivering the landmark infrastructure project.
The Bodo–Bonny Road, when fully completed and commissioned, is expected to significantly boost connectivity, economic activity and safety across the Niger Delta region.