Nigeria Senate Tuesday asked the federal government to deal with hindrances and complete the 37km Bodo/Bonny road project in Gokana local government area of Rivers state.
The motion which was sponsored by Senators George Thompson Sekibo and Osinakachukwu Ideozu , representing Rivers East and West respectively, explained that the said project which was awarded in 2002 by former President, Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration has been abandoned.
Leading the debate, Sekibo explained that the dilapidated condition of the road constituted set back to operations of Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas.
According to him, the initial cost of the project which stood at N20 billion in 2002 was reviewed to N120 billion in 2014 by former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, adding that no amount of money was expended from N20 billion appropriated for the project in 2015
“Recall that in 2014, the former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration re-awarded the road project after re-validation of the contract value of N120 billion appropriated for it in 2015 budget,” he explained.
The motion also revealed that the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas has indicated financing 50% of the project.
In his contribution, Senator James Manager, Delta South, stressed that it is not a controversial motion, saying, FG should summon political will to complete the project since the NLNG has taken the 50% liability.
Senate President, Bukola Saraki confirmed that the NLNG while on a courtesy call to his office indicated interest to finance 50% of the project.
Chairman, Senate Committee on Works, Kabiru Gaya reiterated Buhari’s commitment to completing that project. He said, N9billion in this year’s budget would definitely kick-start the project.
Senator Magnus Abe on his part, noted that it was not Rivers state project, but that of all Nigerians.
He regretted that the NLNG has not been operating maximally due to transportation contingencies, assuring that investing in the projects was a priority of the Federal government.
“Sometime this year, the Federal Minister of Transportation, Mr. Babatunde Fashola visited the site in expression of FG’s commitment,” he maintained.
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