Infrastructure development across Rivers State is picking up speed, with critical road and bridge projects reshaping access and mobility for communities. Key among these transformative efforts is construction giant Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, whose work is unlocking new economic opportunities and enhancing the region’s transport network.
From the ambitious Port Harcourt Ring Road to the Emohua-Abalama/Tema Junction Road and the Ahoada-Omoku-Ndoni Road, Julius Berger’s projects are bringing significant improvements. The 15.24 km dualisation of the Emohua-Abalama/Tema Junction Road, located just outside Port Harcourt, is well underway, with Phase 1 already completed and Phase 2 launched in November 2024 despite the region’s security challenges. Project Manager Finn Drosdowski highlighted that the road will feature drainage works and solar-powered street lighting, ensuring safer, more efficient travel for users.
Work is also progressing on the Ahoada-Omoku-Ndoni Road Extension, a 25.4 km dualisation project that is now nearing 75% completion. This project, which links Ahoada East to Omoku, also involves drainage installation in township areas and has required the relocation of residents, with compensation already processed for affected properties.
Julius Berger has also kicked off the reconstruction of the Buguma-Abalama-Tema-Degema-Abonnema Road, a 19.6 km route vital for connecting several riverine communities. This project, which began in December 2024, includes drainage works and the rehabilitation of seven bridges. Engineers on-site have also focused on sustainability, partially reusing milled road material as a sub-base, while providing local employment and community supplier engagement.
Central to these developments is the Port Harcourt Ring Road project, a 50.15 km dual carriageway connecting six Local Government Areas: Port Harcourt, Obio Akpor, Ikwerre, Etche, Eleme, and Oyigbo. Awarded in 2023, this significant infrastructure development is set to enhance intra-city movement with the construction of five flyovers and a river-crossing bridge. Ongoing work at key flyovers—Ozuoba, Rumumasi, Aluu, Kala, and Elelenwo—has seen crews busy with drainage, road dividers, and final road preparations.
Julius Berger remains committed to completing the Ring Road project on schedule, with community engagement and compensation processes integrated throughout. The company has provided temporary access roads and continues to offer local employment opportunities, alongside its Young Engineers Program, which trains future construction professionals.
Project Manager Drosdowski emphasized the broader impact of these efforts: “We are contributing to the long-term growth of Rivers State through infrastructure that will transform communities. Every project we undertake is part of a larger effort to support economic and social development. At the end of the day, the roads and bridges we build will speak for our commitment to progress.”