BODO BONNY ROAD TEMPORARILY OPENS, CONNECTING COMMUNITIES AND COMMERCE, BRINGING SAFE TRAVELS AND HISTORIC RELIEF TO BONNY ISLAND AND THE NIGER DELTA The Honourable Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, CON, FNSE, FNATE, on behalf of the President of the Federal Republic and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to delivering durable and modern infrastructure under the Renewed Hope Agenda. He disclosed this during the temporary opening of the Bodo–Bonny Road and Bridges Across the Opobo Channel in Rivers State on Monday, 8 December, 2025. It marks a historic milestone for the riverine Bonny and Ogoni Kingdoms, bringing relief to communities that have endured decades of challenging river crossings and costly helicopter trips. President Tinubu described the road project as a testament to the Administration’s commitment to transforming the Niger Delta region. The road, spanning 37.9 kilometres and traversing challenging terrain including thick forests, swamps, and creek networks, is the first federal road to directly link the mainland to Bonny Island, home to Nigeria’s Liquified Natural Gas (NLNG) Plant and other major energy investments. The project, awarded on the 11th of December, 2014, commenced on the 28th of October, 2017, and is approximately 90.98% complete. The event drew a wide array of government officials and dignitaries, including the Governor of Rivers State, members of the National Assembly (NASS), Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement, South South Zone, Ms. Gift Johnbull, traditional rulers, and community elders from the host communities. The Rivers State Governor, His Excellency, Sir Similaye Fubara, represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Benibo Anabrabawho described the day as historic, noting that families and commuters would now travel safely by road, especially during festive periods, instead of relying on hazardous waterways where dangers include strong currents and armed robbery. He expressed appreciation to President Tinubu and the Honourable Minister for rescuing the project from years of uncertainty and reiterated the State Government’s readiness to partner with the Federal Government to ensure peace and developmental progress in the oil and gas-rich region. Senator Barinada Mpigi, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Works, who represents the area at the NASS, delivered a goodwill message, in which he praised the President for what he described as an unmistakable demonstration of care and commitment to the Ogoni people. Engr. Umahi announced operational guidelines for the temporary opening, highlighting that the road would be open daily from within a specific time frame (7:00 am-7:00 pm), as motorcycles (“Okadas”) and tricycles (“Keke”) are barred for security and safety reasons. Heavy-duty trucks are also prohibited from plying the road until obstacles are removed and critical support infrastructure, including trailer parks, is provided. He emphasised that these measures are to safeguard the road and ensure its longevity. The Minister also disclosed enhancements made possible through project savings to be added stating, “There will be installation of solar-powered streetlights with CCTV cameras for security and planting of trees” along the entire stretch—features that were not included in the original project plan. He further announced that the road will eventually be dualised through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP), with a toll system to ensure proper maintenance and long-term durability. Engr. Umahi also gave insights into other key projects, the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, noting that Session 1 in Lagos is approximately 85% completed, Session 2 between Lagos and Ogun is about 40% done, and Sessions 3A and 3B in Cross River and Akwa Ibom are advancing smoothly. Preparations for Session 5 are underway, while Sessions 4A and 4B in the Ogun–Ondo axis will ultimately connect Lagos to Ogun, Ondo, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and end in Cross River. He confirmed that all sections of the East–West Road are under active construction and are expected to be completed next year. The Honourable  Minister expressed appreciation to the National Assembly and the Peace Committee for their support and resilience during earlier project disputes, and credited President Tinubu for directing the Ministry to allow the contractor to complete the project despite the cost implications. He also announced that the President is expected to visit Bodo and Bonny by  March next year, noting that such visits often accelerate development and uplift communities. He concluded with a call for peace, prosperity, and lasting progress in Rivers State and the Niger Delta, urging a strong partnership between Julius Berger and the Ministry as the road reaches its final stages. The Coordinating Director, Highways (Bridges and Design), Engr. Musa Sa’idu described the Bodo–Bonny Road as a bridge-dominated engineering landmark featuring over 3 kilometres of bridges, including nearly 1.2 km of main bridge and major structures such as the 502-metre Alpha Creek Bridge. He emphasised the technical complexity of the project, comparing it to iconic structures such as the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, the Second Niger Bridge, as well as the Third Mainland Bridge.   Earlier the Engineers’ Representative (ER), Engr. Udom Joseph, provided technical context, highlighting the road’s design, which includes flexible pavements on sand-filled embankments, rigid pavements within Bonny town, and nine mini-bridges, in addition to three major bridges. He explained that the project has undergone several technical adjustments and financial revisions to address environmental challenges, with the original completion date set for August 2022. Also, in a Goodwill Statement, a royal representative, on behalf of the King of Gokana Kingdom praised the Minister and acknowledged the support of the Rivers State Government, Chiefs of Gokana, Bori, and the wider Ogoni and Bonny communities, describing the project as monumental in scale and of immense benefit to Rivers State and Nigeria, at large. Mohammed A. Ahmed  Director (Press and Public Relations) 9 December, 2025. ...

REJOINDER: PAYMENT OF ALL CONTRACTORS BY 20TH DECEMBER, 2025 The attention of the Federal Ministry of Works has been drawn to a distortion of information in the media, especially Channels Television, where it was alluded that the Minister of Works, Sen. (Engr.) David Umahi, CON, FNSE, FNATE said that all local contractors will be paid by 20th December, 2025. Let it be on record that the Minister of Works does not speak for the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, who is in charge of all payments to contractors handling Federal Government projects. However, the true position of facts is that the Minister of Works on Thursday, 4th December, 2025, while inspecting ongoing works on the three (3) Sections of the Mararraba-Keffi Expressway, which are some of the NNPC Tax Credit projects taken over by the Ministry in terms of funding, commended the contractors for the excellent work and assured them that after verification by the Independent Corruption and other Related Practices Commission (ICPC), the Ministry, through the Ministry of Finance, will commence the payment of all generated certificates before the 20th of December, 2025. He also appealed to Contractors handling such projects not to stop work in any part of the country. Inasmuch as the Federal Government is making concerted efforts to pay most of the verified inherited debts, the Federal Ministry of Works is not in a position to set a deadline for payment nor to speak on behalf of the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy. The media is hereby invited to correct such misinformation. Mohammed A. Ahmed, Director, Press and Public Relations. 6th December, 2025. ...

FG Decries Road Vandalism, Reaffirms Commitment to Record Completion of Abuja-Kano Expressway The Federal Government has expressed deep concern over the rising cases of vandalism and misuse of newly constructed and ongoing road projects across the country, warning that such irresponsible acts threaten the lifespan and safety of critical national infrastructure. Minister of State for Works, Hon. Bello Muhammad Goronyo, Esq., issued the warning on Saturday, 8th November 2025, during a holistic inspection visit to the Outstanding Sections of the Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Kano Expressway project, where he condemned the destructive activities of some hoodlums along the completed and active sections of the road. The Minister, in particular, decried instances of individuals removing safety railings, damaging concrete pavements, or converting portions of the highway into refuse dumps and drying grounds—especially around the Jaji Bridge corridor in Kaduna State. “Maintenance begins with discipline and public responsibility,” Goronyo stated. “We have observed people cutting through newly completed road sections or tampering with vital components. These acts of vandalism must stop immediately,” he warned. In this vein, he urged traditional rulers, community leaders, and residents to take collective ownership of public infrastructure and ensure that such national assets are protected from misuse, adding that the government’s huge investments in road development must be safeguarded for future generations. “The Renewed Hope Administration of His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committing enormous resources to the building of durable roads across the country. Every act of vandalism or road abuse undermines national progress and the deployment of taxpayers’ money to other critical national priorities,” the Minister emphasised. Reaffirming the government’s resolve to complete the Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Kano Expressway within record time, Goronyo described the project as a flagship of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, designed to enhance trade, promote unity, and strengthen economic integration between the Northern and Southern regions of the country. He disclosed that the Section I (Abuja-Kaduna) of the project, spanning 144 kilometres, is progressing steadily across several active sections - from Tungan Maje and Jere to Katari, Kakau, Gonigora, and Agogo Junction—with significant work already completed in drainage, reinforcement, and the construction of the shoulders. “So far, about 26 kilometres of continuous rigid concrete pavement and 15 kilometres of binder and wearing course have been completed,” the Minister revealed. “The President has made it clear that funding will not be a constraint. It is now a matter of work and getting paid,” he informed the contractor, Messrs. Infiouest International Limited. In line with the President’s directive for durable infrastructure, the Acting Director, Highways, Bridges and Design at the Ministry, Engr. Musa Sa’idu explained that the project design was upgraded from flexible (asphalt) to rigid (concrete) pavement, capable of lasting for about a century and withstanding the stress of heavy-duty and overloaded vehicles. He further disclosed that a recycling approach is being used to strengthen the substructure, by mixing milled asphalt with stone base and cement to improve durability and minimize environmental impact. Mr. Robert Turner, Senior Project Manager of the company, reaffirmed their commitment to engineering excellence and set a target, adding that work is progressing seven days a week, with plans to introduce night shifts to accelerate completion. “We are determined to deliver this project ahead of schedule. The government has demonstrated exceptional consistency in funding, and we are matching that commitment with performance,” Turner assured. Concluding the inspection tour at the additional location of the Kano end of the alignment, the Minister reiterated that the Abuja–Kano Expressway remains one of the most strategic road corridors in the nation, symbolising Mr. President’s unwavering commitment to infrastructural renewal, national security, and economic prosperity. “This project is dear to the President’s heart. It is not just a road - it is a lifeline for trade, social and political integration, as well as national unity. Every Nigerian must play a part in protecting it,” Goronyo declared. Earlier at the end of Section II (Kaduna-Zaria), which has been completed and handed over by the previous contractor, the  Minister detoured to inspect another ongoing construction work on the Unguwar Iliya-Bagudu-Kwantakaran-Tsiga-Bakori Road with Kadabo Bridge in Kafur Local Government Area of Katsina State. He expressed satisfaction with the progress of work, which has an approximate length of 17.3 kilometres, starting from Tsiga Town and passing through the Barde community. The scope of work includes the construction of a single carriageway and three reinforced concrete bridges. Briefing the Minister on the Project, the Federal   Controller/Engineers’ Representative, Engr. Muhammad I. Matinja and the Project Manager for Messrs. Halis Matrix Limited, Engr. David Omotosho expressed optimism about the progress of work, assuring that it will be completed on time and according to its design. **Mohammed A Ahmed, ** Director Press and Public Relations.  9th November 2025. ...