Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike has praised President Bola Tinubu for completing the Bodo–Bonny Road, saying the project has ended decades of dangerous river crossings and costly air travel to Bonny Island in Rivers State.
Wike made the remarks on Thursday during his thank-you visit to Bonny Local Government Area, where he described the road as a historic intervention that has finally given the island its first land connection.
The 37.8-kilometre Bodo–Bonny Road, now partially open to vehicular traffic, links Bonny Island, a major oil and gas hub, to the mainland for the first time since its establishment.
According to the minister, the project had remained a political promise for decades, with successive administrations failing to deliver until the Tinubu administration took decisive steps to complete it.
Wike also commended the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, for driving the execution of the project and ensuring that the President’s commitment to the Bonny people was translated into reality.
“Before, each time we want to come to Bonny for a campaign, we would look at ourselves and say, ‘how is the tide?’ Even in a helicopter, I will see the ocean and say, ‘God, let me come back today.’
“But today, as we are coming here, I say, ‘God, may you be glorified,’ and with this, tell me why Bonny people will not support Mr President.
“Bonny people, God’s time is the best, and God’s time has come. You will continue to benefit from Tinubu’s administration,” he said.
Wike advised the people not to be distracted with the current political crisis in the state, stressing that “in politics, there is always disagreement. What is important is to disagree and agree.
“When a place is united, you will see the benefits that would accrue to the people. As leaders, continue to work together so you will continue to bring more things for the people of Bonny,” he said.
Earlier, Mr Cyril Heart, representing Degema-Bonny Federal Constituency, commended Wike for championing women’s inclusion in governance in Rivers State and the country at large.
Describing the move as an “unspoken legacy” of the minister, the lawmaker recalled how Wike insisted that women must be vice chairmen of local government councils in Rivers State.
He said that the National Assembly was making efforts to replicate what the minister did in Rivers State, through a bill that would institutionalise women’s inclusion in governance across the country.
Also, the Chairman of the Bonny Local Government Council, Mr Abinye Pepple, described Wike as the most “dependable, reliable and cheerful leader” of Rivers politics.
People commended the minister for the numerous projects he executed in the area during his tenure as the governor.
He equally commended the minister for being the first to give Ijaw people the opportunity to be governor in Rivers State.
“Also, for the first time in history, our people can drive from Bonny to Port Harcourt. This is an overwhelming experience.
“My father and mother didn’t experience that, but through you, Mr President, that project has been completed, and now you can come to Bonny through land, through water and through air.
“For this and many others, we will deliver Bonny to Tinubu in 2027,” he said.
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