The Bonny Gentlemen’s League (BGL) has strongly opposed plans to introduce toll gates on the newly delivered Bodo–Bonny Road, urging the Federal Government to immediately shelve the policy, which it described as retrogressive and harmful to the socio-economic wellbeing of the area.
At the same time, the socio-political organisation commended the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Federal Government for the timely delivery of the landmark road project, describing it as a major step toward addressing long-standing infrastructure deficits in the Niger Delta.
In a statement issued on Thursday, January 8, 2026, and jointly signed by its Chancellor, Warisenibo Kalada Dublin Green; Registrar, Dr. Victor Ibigoni Jumbo; and Chairman of the Current and National Affairs Committee, Amaopusenibo Torudoghubo Jamaica, the League praised the government’s “purposeful and coordinated efforts” in completing the project but warned against burdening users with toll charges.
The group noted that the temporary opening of the road on December 8, 2025 marked a significant milestone in connecting Bonny Island to the mainland, stressing that imposing tolls at this stage would undermine the economic relief the project is meant to provide to host communities.
“The League appeals to the Federal Government to promptly withdraw the toll gate policy, as it is not only retrogressive but detrimental in every respect,” the statement said.
BGL also lauded the Minister of Works, David Umahi, for the operational guidelines currently governing the use of the road, including the restriction of vehicular movement to between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., as well as the temporary ban on trucks, tricycles and motorcycles.
According to the group, these measures are necessary to ensure safety and orderly usage during the current phase of operation.
The League further commended Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG), the project sponsor, for its “instrumental role” in funding the road under a public-private partnership arrangement, as well as the Amanyanabo of Bonny Kingdom, King Edward Asimini William Dappa Pepple III, CON, and the Bonny Chiefs Council for their collaborative support.
The N120 billion, 39-kilometre Bodo–Bonny Road and Bridges project, constructed by Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, is the first direct land link between Bonny Island—home to critical oil and gas assets—and the rest of the country. The project features multiple bridges across creeks and the Opobo Channel, cutting through difficult swamp terrain.
While acknowledging the near completion of the project, the Bonny Gentlemen’s League insisted that the road should remain toll-free in the interest of the host communities and national economic integration.
