Bodo-Bonny road to accelerate distribution, supply of gas, says Fashola

The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola has said when the on-going 40-kilometres Bodo-Bonny road project in Rivers State is completed, it will accelerate the distribution and supply of gas from the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Train 7 project and boost revenue for the country.

The NLNG Train 7 project was flagged off in June 2021 by President Muhammadu Buhari to harness the country’s abundant gas reserves.

Fashola who visited the project site described it as the foundation for economic prosperity of the nation.
He said, “ The NLNG Train 7 project connecting to this road is a huge infrastructure investment. Investing in infrastructures is the most legitimate way to distribute money in an economy. No nation will grow bigger and faster than the stock of its infrastructure, so this is the foundation for the economic prosperity of Nigeria.”

“This project 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, when all the cost and delays are off, it will bring about efficiency “

The minister stated that the road, which comprises nine mini-bridges and three major bridges could be equal to the mainland bridge in Lagos State, adding that the impact of the bridges would be witnessed in the oil rich Rivers State.

He said “ Before now, the ancestors in Bonny, Andoni were used to paddling canoe for hours before they could access their homes, so standing here today is truly historic. Three and half years ago, when the project started, the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osibanjo who flagged off the project on behalf of president Muhammadu Buhari, flew from Port-Harcourt to Bonny Island due to lack of access road”

He commended the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi for driving the project during the executive council meetings as well as Senator Magnus Abe who he said, brought him to the site in 2017 when the idea to construct the road was conceived.

The Minister further lauded the communities, chiefs and elders for their peaceful dispositions, which has helped to increase the pace of work.

The head of the Federal Ministry of Works supervising team for the project site, Esene Udoh revealed that the project at the moment has provided 700 direct jobs and 200 indirect jobs to the youths and people of the host communities as well as others.

On his part, the Traditional Ruler of Gokana Kingdom, King Babari Bajia represented by Gosanye Gbarage said, the impact of the road was enormous, stressing that it has helped the people to have quick access to Bonny Island and increase the income of the people.