As part of moves to boost the economic atmosphere around the Niger Delta region, the Federal Government on Wednesday approved the sum of N1.7 billion for the construction of a jetty in Bonny Island, Rivers State.

Minister of State for Transportation, Gbemisola Saraki disclosed this while briefing State House correspondents yesterday after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

She said, “Today, the Ministry of Transportation presented a memo for the approval of award of contract for the construction of jetty at Bonny Island in Rivers State.

“This approval was sought and was duly given. Some years ago, we had a jetty at Bonny Island; it collapsed and now creating a huge problem for tug boats and pilotage.

According the Junior Minister of Transportation, the jetty will serve to accommodate pilots and other professionals in the oil and gas sector who would be dropped off at the jetty for subsequent evacuation to Port Harcourt and other cities from Bonny.

“Let me give you a little background on it. Some years ago, we had a jetty at the Bonny Island but it collapsed and now creating huge problem for top boats and pilot age. The pilot land is in Bonny so boats used to come from Port Harcourt to pick up the pilots.

“So, what happened is that the pilot’s lounge is actually in Bonny; so boats used come all the way from Port Harcourt to pick up the pilots.

“It was advertised in late 2017 and today, the council gave approval in the tune of N1.7 billion and it will be completed in 15 months.’’

Wednesday’s weekly FEC meeting, which held at the Council Chamber, Presidential Villa, Abuja, was presided over by the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, where it was decided to upscale funding for capital projects in the 2019 budget to the sum of  N650 billion.

Saraki further revealed that “today, the Ministry of Transportation presented a memo for the approval of the award of contract of a jetty at Bonny Island of River State”.  

She added that Due Projects Ltd has been awarded the contract to build the jetty, which she said would be ready by February, 2021.

“Today, the Council give approval in favour of Messrs Due Projects Ltd for N1. 7 billion and it will be completed in 15 months’ time.”