BKDC Rallies Applause for FG, NLNG, JBN Over Bodo-Bonny Project Resumption

The Bonny Kingdom Development Committee (BKDC) has rallied stakeholders to applaud the trio of the Federal Government, Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG) and Julius Berger Nigeria Plc (JBN) for resolving the issues that led to JBN abandoning the Bodo-Bonny Road project.

This consensus was reached at a Stakeholders Meeting held on Friday, April 26, 2024 at the Ibani-Se Hall, Bonny.

In attendance were the Amanyanabo of Bonny Kingdom, who was represented by the Chairman of Bonny Chiefs Council, Se-Alabo Dagogo Claude-Wilcox, Chairman of Bonny Local Government Area, represented by her Vice, Omoni Longjohn, country chiefs, titled citizens, women groups, youth bodies, representatives of various chieftaincy houses, amongst several others.   

A communique issued at the end of the meeting disclosed that after reviewing the various efforts and engagements by the trio that led to resolution of the impasse, the stakeholders gave thumbs up to the trio for prioritizing the interest of the Bonny people.

The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi had announced the approval of the sum of N20 billion to JBN as augmentation fee for the remaining 16% completion of the project, which was flagged off in 2017 by the then Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo.

Checks by Kristina Reports indicate that the Works Minister, Dave Umahi had in a meeting with the Managing Director of Julius Berger, Dr. Lars Richter, threatened to terminate the contract if the company does not return to site within two weeks.

In a statement, days after, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc acknowledged receipt of the additional of N20 billion was an augmentation fee to mitigate the effect of the economic realities of the nation, adding that commitments have been made to ensure the completion of the project by the end of the year.

Due to teething challenges hampering delivery of the project, the NLNG came up with the infrastructure tax credit scheme aimed at bridging the gaps in funding public sector projects, offering to provide 50% and later 100% which served to fully jumpstart work on the project.

The Bonny Kingdom Development Committee and the stakeholders it rallied at the meeting praised the Minister of Works, Managing Directors of NLNG and JBN, urging them to expedite action on the completion of the road and preempt any further hitches to timely delivery of the project.