By Chuks Nzeh
The Senate Committee on Works has expressed satisfaction with the pace of work on the landmark Bodo-Bonny Road project, while urging the contractor, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, to intensify efforts to meet the completion deadline.
Chairman of the committee, Senator Barinada Mpigi, led members on an oversight visit to the site over the weekend, where they inspected ongoing construction on the 35.7-kilometre road linking mainland communities to Bonny Island in Rivers State.
Speaking with journalists after the inspection, Senator Mpigi commended the level of progress but underscored the urgency of timely delivery.
“We are happy with the progress, but we expect more from Julius Berger—a company we know as a giant in the construction industry. The Federal Government has fulfilled its obligations; now it is time for delivery,” he said.
Initiated in 2014, the project has faced delays due to the challenging terrain, including swampy soil, marshland, and tidal movements.
Despite these difficulties, the committee reported that five kilometres of the road have been asphalted, and key bridges completed, significantly enhancing connectivity in the region.
The Senate committee directed Julius Berger to expedite the asphalting and ensure substantial completion before the end of the year.
A project review has been scheduled for September, with the committee assuring the public of continuous oversight.
“This is not a one-time visit. We will continue to monitor every stage of this project until it is delivered,” Mpigi stressed.
Also speaking, Senator Patrick Ndubueze, a member of the committee, noted the peculiar nature of the project.
“Construction here is not the same as in the South-East,” he observed, highlighting the technical complexities involved.
In response, the Managing Director of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Engr. Dr. Peer Lubasch, who led senior management staff during the lawmakers’ visit, assured the committee of the company’s commitment to completing the road by December—subject to sustained funding.
Lubasch explained that the slow pace was due to the need to allow the soil to stabilize, given the marshy and tidal nature of the area.
Nonetheless, he said significant milestones had been achieved, with parts of the road already accessible to vehicles and critical bridges linking the mainland to Bonny Island completed.
The Bodo-Bonny Road project comprises 13 bridges—including three main bridges, nine mini bridges, and one over a pipeline.
When completed, it will be the first road to connect oil-rich Bonny Island to the mainland, cutting across four local government areas in Rivers State.
The project is being executed under a tripartite agreement involving the Federal Government, the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas, NLNG, company, and Julius Berger Nigeria Plc.
It includes the construction of mini bridges with 23-metre spans, two major creek bridges, Afa Creek Bridge, about 530 metres, and Nanabie Creek Bridge, about 640 metres, and a 750-metre river bridge over the Opobo Channel.
Once completed, the Bodo-Bonny Road is expected to open up vast economic opportunities, ease transportation for residents, and strengthen access to key oil and gas infrastructure on Bonny Island.
