The Minister of Works, Senator Engr. David Umahi, CON, has received the new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas, Adeleye Falade, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja, using the occasion to announce fresh approval for a major road project in Rivers State.
The meeting, held on Wednesday, focused on the completed Bodo-Bonny Road and the next phase of development that will link it to the East-West Road, an important route for movement of people and goods in the Niger Delta.
Speaking during the visit, the Minister revealed that the President, HE Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, CON has approved the dualisation of the 8.9-kilometre road connecting Bodo-Bonny to the East-West Road. The project will be constructed with concrete and will include two flyovers, solar-powered streetlights, and modern monitoring systems.
“I have listed that project for the president, he will tell me when he is ready for the commissioning and I will let you know and graciously he has also approved the 8.9km dualized and this time on concrete with two flyovers. We are working with Julius Berger since they are on site, it is more economical for us for them to continue. With the information I’m having from PPP I think the cost is about 150billion because it is a very terrible terrain, two flyovers and solar powered light, tree planting and also some rest house where we will stay and monitor the CCTV.”
Umahi explained that part of the funds saved from the Bodo-Bonny Road project has already been redirected to improve the road with solar lights and tree planting.
“We made some savings from the Bodo-Bonny and we directed them to use this savings to put solar light and then plant trees within that axis. So, I want to assure you that we work very closely with you and we are not going to be on that project when awarded for more then twelve months and the price will not be reviewed. So make it very clear in our agreement with you and us and them.”
The Minister said the Tinubu administration is focused on building durable roads that will last for decades, while also improving safety and boosting economic activities.
“I want to commend you very highly and I say that the president infrastructure revolution in Nigeria is quite unprecedented. There is no part of this country that you don’t see solid work going on and we are not talking about just road construction, he is building a road that will last between 50-100years with minimal maintenance and that is what he stands for. For the first time you see road is built, it has solar light. So that people can travel at night and it will increase commercial activity and also safety on the road. He has also directed to start mapping out our to put CCTV on our roads and have viewing points so that response them at every point in time will not be more than 10mins.”
Earlier, Abdul Humaru introduced the NLNG team, saying: “We are here to introduce our new managing director and CEO and for a courtesy visit as well.”
In his remarks, the NLNG boss, Adeleye Falade, thanked the Federal Government for its support, especially on the Bodo-Bonny Road, which he said is already making life easier for residents and businesses.
“Just like Abdul said it is a courtesy visit but it is more than courtesy, we want to take this privilege to express gratitude particularly on Bodo Bonny road. I want to thank you for the support. The road as we have communicated is completed now, we are actually waiting for when you will give us a date for official commissioning but we know people are already using it. The road changed a lot of things about the activities on the Island. I went on the road myself from my office in Port Harcourt. It took me one and a half hours from my office to Bonny that is something that will ordinarily take us four hours.”
He also expressed readiness for continued collaboration on the new road project.
“We are grateful for the support. We are also grateful for the consideration of that 8.9km that leads into the East west road that enables us to maximize that particular road. We are still waiting for advice, who is going to handle that going forward. We are ready to provide support as well. So, today we have come to show gratitude for the support that we have gotten from you.”
