RismadarVoice Reporters, April 30, 2026
The Federal Government has approved a N150bn extension of the Bodo-Bonny Road project in Rivers State as part of a broader push to deliver smart, durable and economically impactful infrastructure across the country.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, disclosed this during a meeting with the management of Nigeria LNG Limited, noting that the project signals a shift from conventional road construction to technology-driven, long-lasting infrastructure.
According to a statement issued by the ministry’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Mohammed Ahmed, the project has received presidential approval and will soon be presented to the Federal Executive Council for ratification.
Umahi explained that the road extension would be executed under a Public-Private Partnership arrangement and built using reinforced concrete technology designed to last between 50 and 100 years, significantly reducing maintenance costs.
“This project is not just about building a road. It is about delivering infrastructure that will stand the test of time, reduce maintenance burden, and provide lasting economic value to Nigerians,” the statement said.
The minister stressed that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains committed to transparency and accountability, adding that the project would undergo full Federal Executive Council approval.
Beyond the road expansion, Umahi unveiled a broader strategy to transform Nigeria’s highways into smart economic corridors. The plan includes the installation of solar-powered street lighting, large-scale tree planting, and digital monitoring systems to enhance safety, environmental sustainability and economic activity along major routes.
He also disclosed plans to deploy Closed-Circuit Television cameras along key highways, supported by monitoring centres to improve emergency response time.
“We are introducing CCTV surveillance systems along key highways with strategically located monitoring centres. This will enable us to respond to emergencies in less than 10 minutes,” he said.
The project design will also incorporate rest areas, service stations, operational hubs, and truck parking facilities to improve logistics efficiency and reduce congestion, with ongoing engagement with host communities for land acquisition.
Umahi added that contractors had been directed to reinvest cost savings into value-adding components such as solar lighting and landscaping, while a strict 12-month completion timeline has been set with no provision for cost variation.
Meanwhile, the Managing Director of NLNG, Adeleye Falade, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to innovation and sustainability, presenting a model of a Compressed Natural Gas-powered ship as part of efforts to promote low-carbon solutions in Nigeria’s transport sector.
The Bodo-Bonny Road remains a critical infrastructure linking Bonny Island home to major oil and gas assets to the mainland in Rivers State. For decades, the lack of a reliable road network has hindered economic activities, forcing dependence on waterways for movement.
Stakeholders say the extension of the project, combined with the integration of smart infrastructure elements, reflects a strategic shift by the Federal Government towards building resilient transport systems that support economic growth and national development.
