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Bodo-Bonny road to boost revenue, gas supply from NLNG Train 7 project

By Ann Godwin, Port Harcourt
11 August 2021   |   4:03 am
Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, has said the 40-kilometre Bodo-Bonny road in Rivers State will accelerate distribution and supply of gas from the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas

Fashola

Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, has said the 40-kilometre Bodo-Bonny road in Rivers State will accelerate distribution and supply of gas from the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Train 7 project and boost the country’s revenue.

The Guardian recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari unveiled the NLNG Train 7 project on June 15 to harness the country’s abundant gas reserves.

Fashola, who visited the Bodo-Bonny project site, yesterday, said the infrastructure would form a solid foundation for economic growth and prosperity of the country.

His words: “The NLNG Train 7 project connecting to this road is a huge infrastructure investment and investing in infrastructure remains the most legitimate way to distribute money in an economy.

“No nation grows bigger and faster than the stock of its infrastructure, so, this is the foundation for the economic prosperity of Nigeria.

“This project connecting with communities will make life easy for the people and boost the economy, because all the cost attributed to the delay in moving goods from Bodo to Bonny will disappear and when all the cost and delay end, it will bring about efficiency.”

Fashola further stated that the road, which comprises nine mini bridges and three major bridges would be the equivalent of the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos, adding that the impact of the mainland and Eko bridges would be witnessed in Rivers State.

Describing the project as historic, he recalled that the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, flew from Port Harcourt to Bonny Island to inaugurate the project three and half years ago on behalf of President Buhari due to lack of access road.

Fashola lamented that the Ogoni communities where oil was being extracted for over five decades was neglected and abandoned by previous administrations, but however, described the road as significant and historic, adding that the project, which is presently at 37.09 per cent, would alleviate the sufferings of the people when completed.

He commended the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi, for driving the project at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meetings and Magnus Abe who he said, brought him to the site in 2017, when the idea of building the road was conceived.

The minister also lauded the communities, traditional rulers and elders for their peaceful disposition, which had helped to increase the pace of work.

Also, Head of Federal Ministry of Works Supervising Team of the project, Esene Udoh, disclosed that the project has provided 700 direct jobs and 200 indirect jobs for the youths and people of the host communities and outsiders.

On his part, Project Manager of Julius Berger Plc, Thomas Haug, restated the company’s commitment to completing the road on schedule, adding that there was no funding challenge.

Traditional Ruler of Gokana Kingdom, King Babari Bajia, who was represented by Gosanye Gbarage, said the impact of the road was enormous as it would enable the people to have quick access to Bonny Island and increase their income.

Also, the monarch of Ataba Kingdom, Benson Egwonre and Chairman of Bodo Council of Traditional Rulers, Chief James Ntete, noted that the road has helped to address pirates’ attacks.

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