LG Chairmen Assure of Security as FG Announces Date for Temporary Opening of Bodo-Bonny Road

Against the backdrop of President Bola Tinubu’s directive to temporarily open the 37.9km Bodo-Bonny Road for commuters on Sunday, November 30, 2025, the Chairmen of Bonny and Gokana Local Government Areas, Abinye Pepple and Confidence Dekor, have assured commuters of adequate security on the road.

These assurances were made on Saturday, November 15, 2025 at a Townhall Meeting organized by the Bonny Local Government where issues bordering on the opening of the road were discussed in Bonny, Rivers State.

The Bodo-Bonny Road and Bridges project, which was reactivated by the Federal Government under former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, is expected to be completed by February 2026, with final works still ongoing.

The Bonny LGA Chairman asserted that the security architecture of Bonny LGA remains robust, formidable, and fully prepared to obviate any attempts at undermining the relative peace in the area.

He stressed that this is to enable residents and visitors enjoy the Yuletide season in Bonny LGA, adding that the road will be opened only between 8am and 6pm daily.

“The Bonny–Bodo Road will not serve as a safe haven for criminal elements. Anyone caught engaging in criminal activity or attempting to compromise the security of Bonny LGA will face the full weight of the law.”

On his part, the Chairman of Gokana LGA, Confidence Dekor, who was represented by his Vice, Kpobari Orage, stated that his administration will prioritise security along the road, acknowledging the partnership with his Bonny LGA counterpart, saying a joint security plan will be developed and deployed for the road.

The Bodo-Bonny Road and Bridges strategically connects Bonny, Gokana and Tai LGAs opening up on the East-West Road with motorists having the options of either going to Eleme onward to Port Harcourt on the western flank or going to Uyo and Calabar on the eastern flank.

Spokesman of the Bonny LGA Chairman, Wisdom Chapp-Jumbo, in a statement, said the road when opened “is expected to ease movement, support commerce, and enhance socio-economic activities”.

“The (Bonny LG) Council, in collaboration with security agencies and the Federal Government, is committed to ensuring that residents enjoy a peaceful and secure festive season.”

He noted that both Local Governments will jointly develop a comprehensive security blueprint to effectively police their boundaries and safeguard commuters along the road.

He also announced that the Bonny Investment Promotion Committee, led by Tamunotonye Martins-Brown, will soon unveil guidelines for investors and business entities interested in operating the Bodo-Bonny route during the temporary opening.

These measures, according to him, will include profiling of transport operators, verification of vehicle documents, road worthiness assessments, and stakeholder engagements to determine fair transportation rates and procedures.

“We will not permit any unidentified or unverified vehicle to operate along the Bonny–Bodo Road. Every transporter will undergo proper profiling to ensure accountability and safety,” the Chairman emphasized.

The Town Hall Meeting also featured contributions from critical stakeholders, including the Bonny Chiefs’ Council, Bonny Kingdom Titled Citizens Assembly, Bonny Kingdom Ogbobiri Asawo, Bonny Women Forum, Bonny Youth Federation, and security agencies operating within the LGA.

According to Chapp-Jumbo, “their inputs, concerns, and recommendations will guide the implementation framework for the temporary road opening”.

The road, which is a joint project of the Federal Government and the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG), has three bridges, will provide the first-ever land access route to Bonny Island through Bodo in Gokana LGA.