Nigerian Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved an increase fund that will help drive the 34-kilometer long Bodo-Bonny road construction project to completion in Rivers State.
The new cost estimated cost approved now by FEC is N280 billion.
FEC made the approval during its meeting in Abuja on Monday that was presided over by President Bola Tinubu.
This was made public, shared in a statement posted on the official X (formerly Twitter) account of Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Tinubu.
The statement recalled that the project was initially awarded in 2014 for N120 billion and revised in 2021 to N199.9 billion.
In addition to the increased funding, the FEC granted an additional 12-month extension for the project’s completion.
The statement also highlighted the government’s commitment to improving regional infrastructure.
“The council approved the revised estimated contract cost for constructing Bodo-Bonny Road with bridges across the Opobo Channel in Rivers State.
“The contract was awarded in 2014 for N120 billion and revised in 2021 to N199, 923,638,963.87.
“The FEC approved another increase to N280 billion, with an additional completion period of 12 months,” the statement read in part.
This FEC approval follows an earlier announcement by Minister of Works, David Umahi, who stated in June 2024 that the federal government had approved a final N280 billion for Julius Berger Nigeria PLC to complete the project.
The Bodo-Bonny Road project was awarded in 2014 for N120 billion, which includes the construction of 13 bridges: three major bridges and nine mini bridges, along with one bridge spanning a pipeline.
Funding for the project was originally structured with 50% (N60 billion) to be contributed by Nigeria LNG Limited, with the balance coming from the Federal Government.
This vital road will connect oil-rich Bonny Island to mainland Rivers State, traversing Bodo, Afa, Opobo, and Nanabie.
Key features of the project include a 1000-meter bridge across Opobo Creek, a 640-meter bridge across Nanabie Creek, and a 550-meter bridge over Afa Creek.
Julius Berger Nigeria Plc is responsible for the construction, which was revived through a tripartite agreement involving the Federal Government of Nigeria, Nigeria LNG Limited, and Julius Berger.
The project was officially flagged off by then-Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo in October 2017.
