Julius Berger Completes Bodo-Bonny Road, Begins Streetlight, Landscaping Works

Julius Berger Nigeria Plc has completed the 37.9-kilometre Bodo-Bonny Road project in Rivers State and commenced final enhancement works, including streetlight installation and landscaping along the corridor.

The landmark project, which began in October 2017, provides the first road connection between Bonny Island and the mainland, marking a significant milestone in infrastructure development in the Niger Delta region.

Project Manager, Tim Nippert, disclosed that only a small number of workers remain on site to carry out beautification activities, including tree planting and the installation of streetlights, particularly around the kilometre 12 roundabout. He added that some bridge joints are also being completed following delays in the arrival of imported construction materials.

According to Nippert, the project was delivered within the approved budget, generating savings that are now being utilised to fund additional features such as street lighting and landscaping.

“From the contract sum, we made some savings and the ministry awarded us to provide streetlights and do some beautification like tree planting. We are now equipping the entire project with additional streetlights, with budgets we have saved,” he said.

He expressed confidence that all remaining works would be completed within the next two weeks.

The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, had directed that the road be opened to traffic by the end of November 2025, while final completion and commissioning were scheduled for a later date. During an inspection of federal road projects in the South-South and South-East regions in October 2025, Umahi commended the quality of work executed on the project.

The minister described the project cost, estimated at about N7.4 billion per kilometre, as reasonable given the challenging marshy terrain and engineering requirements involved.

He noted that constructing a similar project under current conditions would cost more than N15 billion per kilometre.

Umahi also announced plans for the installation of solar-powered streetlights, Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras and trees along the road embankments, with funding to be sourced from contingency allocations within the project budget.

The Bodo-Bonny Road project is regarded as a strategic infrastructure development expected to improve connectivity, enhance security and stimulate economic activities in the Niger Delta. It also represents a notable example of public-private sector collaboration, with Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) providing 50 per cent funding support for the project.

The scope of work included the construction of nearly 39 kilometres of roadway, culverts, two mini bridges, two creek bridges, extensive dredging operations and specialised soil stabilisation works to address the area’s difficult swampy terrain.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has received approval from President Bola Tinubu to commence Phase Two of the Bodo-Bonny Road project.

Umahi, represented by the Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, recently described the road as a symbol of economic opportunity and national integration, adding that preparations were already underway to begin the next phase.

Community leaders have welcomed the completion of the project, describing it as a long-awaited intervention after decades of neglect in the area.