BONNY, Rivers State — The Bonny Road Expansion (BRE) Project has reached 73 per cent overall completion and remains ahead of schedule, according to the latest progress update from Evomec Global Services Limited (EGSL), the project implementer.
The update, provided to Kristina Reports on Monday, October 19, 2026, through the BRE Project Manager, Oboho Asanwana, indicates substantial progress on the main township road corridor, drainage infrastructure and the project’s spur section, although significant construction work remains before full completion.
The development marks a major milestone in an infrastructure project expected to improve road transportation, ease traffic movement and strengthen connectivity across Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Project Scope and Design
The main Bonny township road expansion is being executed by EGSL for Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG). The principal corridor runs from the Bonny Oil and Gas Terminal gate, commonly associated with the Shell Gate axis, towards Coal Beach, with an additional spur extending towards the King’s Palace.
Project documentation dated November 2024 puts the main road corridor at approximately 2.75 kilometres, with a further 500-metre spur. The existing carriageway, approximately six metres wide, was planned for expansion into a 12-metre-wide, two-lane road.
The broader road improvement programme also includes other routes within Bonny and Finima, including the Abariko and Akusughu Road network and the Ajiokolo Access Road. These should, however, be distinguished from the specific township expansion covered by the latest 73 per cent progress update.
According to EGSL, the road linking Shell Gate to Coal Beach is nearing completion, while the relocation of utilities around the roundabout has been completed.
Drainage works along Road 1, the Shell Gate–Coal Beach corridor, have progressed beyond 67 per cent. Construction is also continuing at the Coal Beach, Berger and Amaomu roundabouts.
The spur section, identified as Road 2, has recorded 94 per cent completion in both pavement and drainage works, placing these components close to delivery.
Taken together, the figures indicate that progress varies across the project’s components, with some nearing completion while other road, drainage and roundabout works remain underway.
EGSL’s overall completion estimate of 73 per cent places the project beyond the halfway mark. However, the remaining work will be critical to achieving full delivery and ensuring that the various components function effectively as an integrated road network.
Stakeholder Engagement and Construction Continuity
Asanwana attributed part of the project’s progress to effective stakeholder engagement, which he said had helped sustain construction activities despite interruptions and competing demands associated with cultural activities, particularly around the spur section.
Cooperation between the contractor, project sponsor, traditional institutions, community representatives and relevant authorities is important in a community where construction activities can intersect with local customs, access requirements and other communal interests.
The ability to manage these interfaces can influence construction continuity, minimise avoidable disruptions and help maintain working relationships between the project team and host communities.
The Bonny Kingdom’s support and cooperation were also acknowledged by EGSL’s Chief Executive Officer, High Chief Peter Esievo, who reaffirmed the company’s commitment to completing the project on schedule and to the required quality standards.
Safety Performance
EGSL reported that the project had recorded more than 687,000 man-hours without a lost-time injury (LTI).
The reported record is a significant occupational health and safety indicator, particularly for a construction project involving earthworks, concrete pavement, drainage construction, heavy equipment and movement around active work zones.
Sustaining that record through the remaining construction period will require continued attention to hazard identification, the use of appropriate protective equipment, equipment safety, traffic management and the protection of workers and members of the public.
The reported figure represents the project’s safety performance as communicated by the implementer; it does not, by itself, establish the absence of all incidents or hazards.
Engineering Quality and Drainage
The project incorporates several engineering elements intended to improve the durability and functionality of the road network. These include ground preparation, earthworks, sand-cement stabilisation, reinforced-concrete pavement, drainage channels, culverts and kerbs, with pedestrian walkways and other supporting infrastructure included where specified in the designs.
Drainage is particularly important in Bonny, where heavy rainfall and waterlogging can affect road conditions. Properly designed and constructed drainage channels can help control surface water, protect pavement structures and reduce water-related deterioration.
The long-term performance of these facilities will depend on compliance with approved engineering specifications, the effectiveness of drainage outlets, the quality of workmanship and routine maintenance after completion.
The completion percentages reported for pavement and drainage works are therefore important progress indicators, but final quality assurance, inspection and confirmation of functionality will remain essential before the infrastructure is considered fully delivered.
Expected Benefits to Bonny Residents
The road expansion is expected to improve vehicle movement along the affected corridor, support access to residential and commercial locations, and facilitate the movement of people, goods and services.
A wider carriageway may improve traffic flow, while functioning drainage infrastructure could help reduce water-related road damage and improve usability during periods of heavy rainfall.
Businesses, transport operators, workers and customers may also benefit from better accessibility. Improved road connections can support commercial activity and strengthen links between key locations within the township.
Where provided in the approved design, pedestrian walkways and associated safety infrastructure could further improve access for residents travelling on foot.
These remain anticipated benefits rather than independently measured outcomes. Their actual extent will depend on the completed road, effective drainage, traffic management and maintenance over time.
Construction Disruptions and Public Accountability
As construction continues, residents and business owners may experience temporary inconveniences associated with traffic diversions, restricted property access, dust, noise and delays.
Temporary bypasses and effective traffic management can help reduce these disruptions. Clear communication about construction schedules, access restrictions and safety arrangements is equally important in enabling residents to plan their movements and businesses to manage operational challenges.
The remaining construction period also presents an opportunity for the project stakeholders to maintain transparent communication about outstanding work, quality-control procedures and the anticipated completion and handover arrangements.
While EGSL reports that the project remains ahead of schedule, the latest update does not, by itself, establish a revised completion date or confirm that all outstanding works will be completed by a particular deadline.
Not To Be Confused With Other Bonny Road Projects
The Bonny township road expansion is distinct from the Bodo–Bonny Road and the Bonny Ring Road and Bridges project.
The Bodo–Bonny Road is a separate 37.9-kilometre highway linking the Bodo area on the mainland to Bonny Island. It is associated with Julius Berger Nigeria and a Federal Government–NLNG partnership.
The Bonny Ring Road and Bridges project is another distinct infrastructure initiative involving the Niger Delta Development Commission and NLNG.
Although these initiatives share the broader objective of improving transportation and connectivity in the Bonny area, they have different routes, scopes and implementation arrangements. Their progress figures, funding details and delivery milestones should not be conflated.
What Remains Before Completion?
With overall progress reported at 73 per cent, attention is now on completing the outstanding road and drainage works, finishing the roundabouts and ensuring that the different components meet the required engineering and safety standards.
The next significant milestones will include completion of the remaining construction activities, appropriate inspections and quality checks, confirmation that the drainage system functions as intended, and formal completion and handover processes.
The project sponsor, implementer and relevant stakeholders will also need to sustain cooperation with the host community through the final stages of construction and any subsequent maintenance arrangements.
Conclusion
The Bonny Road Expansion Project represents an important investment in township infrastructure, with the potential to improve mobility, strengthen commercial access and support economic activity in Bonny LGA.
EGSL’s latest report of 73 per cent completion and progress ahead of schedule offers an encouraging indication of the project’s current position. The reported advances on the Shell Gate–Coal Beach corridor, utility relocation and the Road 2 spur demonstrate that several important components have progressed substantially.
Nevertheless, the project’s ultimate value will depend on more than the percentage of construction completed. The quality and durability of the finished road, the performance of its drainage infrastructure, the safety of road users and the maintenance arrangements put in place will determine the extent of its long-term benefits.
For Bonny residents, the key expectation is clear: that the reported progress will translate into a completed, safe and durable road network that improves everyday transportation and supports the community’s growing economic and industrial activities.
