President Bola Tinubu has approved the temporary opening of the 37.9-kilometre Bodo–Bonny Road, providing long-awaited access between Bodo in Gokana Local Government Area and Bonny in Bonny LGA, Rivers State.

The move offers major relief to residents and travellers who, for years, depended on dangerous sea routes to reach Bonny Island.

Speaking during the opening ceremony on Monday, President Tinubu, represented by the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, described the road as a landmark achievement under his Renewed Hope Agenda.

He urged the public to follow the guidelines for its temporary use, stressing that movement would be restricted at night. According to him, the road will be open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. starting December 8, up until its official commissioning scheduled for the first quarter of 2026.

Tinubu stated, “The dream of the Bonny Kingdom has come true; the dream of the Bodo Kingdom has come true. No more hazardous trips on the Bonny River, no more costly helicopter flights, no more unnecessary hardship to reach this blessed island.”

He emphasized that only light vehicles will be allowed on the road for now, while heavy-duty trucks, motorcycles and tricycles will remain prohibited until final completion projected for March 2026.

The President praised Julius Berger and the Project Manager for maintaining steady progress and called for deeper collaboration with the Rivers State Government to establish trailer parks at both ends of the road. He warned that indiscriminate truck parking would not be allowed, as it could damage the infrastructure. He also requested that traditional rulers in Bodo and Bonny, along with the state government, provide 20 plots of land for the parks.

Representing Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, expressed appreciation to the President for preventing the project from being abandoned. He added, “This may be a temporary opening, but it brings permanent joy to the people of Bonny, Bodo and Rivers State. Because of our terrain, we face many challenges, so like Oliver Twist, we will continue to ask for more support.”

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Works, Senator Barinada Mpigi, also thanked the President for his commitment to the Ogoni people and assured continued support.

Julius Berger’s Project Manager, Tim Nippert, reported that 35 kilometres of the dual carriageway are now motorable and promised that the remaining sections would be finished by the first quarter of 2026.

The Bodo–Bonny Road, which includes 11 bridges, is the first federal road linking the mainland directly to Bonny Island, home to Nigeria LNG and other major oil and gas facilities. Valued in billions of naira, the project was awarded on December 11, 2014, with construction officially starting on October 20, 2017. It is being executed by Julius Berger Nigeria Plc.