Works minister, Engr Dave Umahi has told the people of Bodo-Bonny communities that the surest route to completion of the second section of the Bodo-Bonny road project is their support for the second term bid of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The minister who stated this on Friday at the Medallion award presentation organised by the Bodo-Bonny road and Bridges Peace Committee in Abuja described the road as a major link to opportunities including economic gains and that the Federal Government takes the project seriously.
Represented by the Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, said ‘the road is a bridge to opportunity, a lifeline for commerce, and a symbol of national cohesion.
‘It connects coastal communities to the mainland, reduces insecurity, and opens doors for prosperity across the Niger Delta’.
He said President Tinubu led administration remains steadfast in its mission to strengthen national connectivity through quality road infrastructure.
The Minister said President Tinubu has approved Phase 2 of Bodo-Bonny project and that the Ministry was already to do the needful, but that one good turn deserves another.
‘The ministry is ready we are putting pen on paper to start work immediately’.
Umahi emphasised President Tinubu’s desire to embrace all irrespective of region.
‘This is to tell you that Mr. President loves everybody in this country, whether you are from the north or you are from the south or you are from the east or you are from the west. He is a president for all, a president that loves the unity of this nation’.
While commending the organisers of the award, reiterated that, ‘So you must make sure that you rally around Mr. President to ensure continuity of this project so that by 2027 when President Armed Bola Tinubu comes back, this project will continue so that we continue to connect our people, connect our commercial activities and of course to connect our families and friends’, he said.
Earlier, the Chairman, Planning Committee Bodo-Bonny road project award ceremony, Prof Jasper Jumbo, said Nigeria has remembered the communities after a tortuous 38 years of the project.
He described the gathering as a moment of reflection, recognition and celebration of a transformational vision that had long lived in the hopes of it’s people and has now found expression in concrete reality by the resolve of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s Administration.
Jumbo stated that the Bodo-Bonny corridor despite being a globally significant hub for oil and gas activities, remained disconnected from the Nigerian mainland, relying heavily on water transportation.
‘This disconnect posed challenges not only to commerce and industry but also to the daily lives, safety and aspirations of our people’.
He noted that through determined leadership, sustained advocacy and collaborative commitment, the narrative began to change when the award of the contract to Messrs Gitto Construction which could not manage the many demands of the project.
He narrated that being witnesses to the many challenges facing the road project ‘We resolved against all odds, to persuade and convince the various stakeholders from the Project’s catchment areas to fully co-operate, make necessary sacrifices and support both the Contractor and key Ministry officials to surmount all the challenges previously encountered and realise this project, during our life time’.
He commended the Minister for heeding to the appeals of the people and facilitating approval of a Phase Two of the Bodo-Bonny Road project, to link-up the coastal neighborhoods with the East-West Road.
‘We are indeed, amazed at this marvellous accommodation of our dreams and request.
