PHOTOS: FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FLAGS OFF BONNY BODO ROAD

The Federal Government says it is a firm believer of the potentials of the private sector to deliver the infrastructure Nigeria requires.

Vice President Yemi Osibanjo stated this during the Flag-Off Ceremony of the Bonny Bodo Road in Grand Bonny.

According to him Government alone cannot plug the infrastructural deficit of the country that is why the Federal Government welcomes the Private Sector to take the lead.

“We give them the assurance that we will be with them every step of the way as enablers” he said.

Vice President of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (2^ndRight) flanked by the Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs) Ipalibo Harry Banigo (Left), the Managing Director/CEO, NLNG, Mr. Tony Attah (Right) being received by two little flowers girls during the Flag-Off Ceremony of the Bonny-Bodo Road Project.

According to him the Bonny Bodo Road Project is a Public Private Partnership between the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Company (NLNG) where the Federal Government is to bear 50% of the cost and the NLNG bears the rest.

Vice President of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (2^ndRight), Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs) Ipalibo Harry Banigo (Left), the Minister for Power, Works, and Housing, Babatunde Fashola (Left) and the Amayanabo of Grand Bonny Kingdom, HRM. King Edward Asimini William Dappa Pepple III, Perekule XI (2^nd Left) and others at the Flag-Off Ceremony of the Bonny-Bodo Road at the project site.

He said the road will provide direct jobs for engineers, artisans, and labourers and indirect jobs for food vendors, suppliers, transporters, quarry operators and others in the construction value chain.

Vice President of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (Middle), flanked by the Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs) Ipalibo Harry Banigo (5^th Right), the Amayanabo of Grand Bonny Kingdom, HRM. King Edward Asimini William Dappa Pepple III, Perekule XI (5^th Left), the Minister for Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola (2^nd Right), the Managing Director/CEO, NLNG, Mr. Tony Attah (Right) and other Traditional Rulers of Grand Bonny Kingdom during the Flag-Off Ceremony of the Bonny-Bodo Road Project.

In his remarks the State Chief Executive Nyesom Ezenwo Wike who spoke through his Deputy Dr. (Mrs.) Ipalibo Harry Banigo said over the years the People of Rivers State, other Nigerians and foreign Nationals have continued to yearn for a road to lead to Bonny a coastal city that hosts the NLNG which he described as a critical National asset.

While expressing the State Government’s readiness to partner with the Federal Government, the NLNG and other Developmental Partners to carry out programms, policies and projects that positively impact on the lives of the citizenry, Governor Wike said“We would like to use this opportunity to urge the NLNG to set up the necessary machinery in motion to kick off the NLNG Train 7 and also ensure that the dry dock that was taken to Badagry is brought back to Bonny to provide employment for our people and help curb youth restiveness”.

Governor Wike also expressed the need for the Federal Government to urgently complete the East West Road which, connects several states of the Federation and also serves the Port Harcourt Refinery, the Petro Chemical Industry as well as the Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone.

Also speaking the Minister of Power, Works and Housing Babatunde Fashola said the road will be beneficial not only to the Bonny People but the Bodo People in Gokana Local Government Area. According to him the construction of the road will also reduce the cost of basic commodities in the area.

In his remarks the Amanyanabo of Grand Bonny King Edward Asimini William Dapper Pepple Perekule XI said access to the Bonny Kingdom has been a challenge over the years because of the terrain, stressing that with the flag-off of the Road Project the NLNG has demonstrated its commitment to the development of the kingdom and thanked the Federal Government and the company for this initiative.

More photos below.