₦airaland Forum

December 25th will always stand out for me not just because it was Christmas Day, but because I finally experienced something many of us in Rivers State have talked about for years; traveling to Bonny Island by road.

Bonny Island, a historic and culturally rich local government area sitting at the southern edge of Rivers State in the heart of the Niger Delta, has always felt just a little out of reach. For decades, movement in and out of Bonny was limited to water transport or air travel, making every visit feel like a mini expedition. But this month, something remarkable happened. The Federal Government temporarily opened a road linking Bonny Island to Port Harcourt.

And I knew I had to experience it.

Setting Off from Port Harcourt

I began my journey at YKC Roundabout in Woji, Port Harcourt, early on Christmas morning. The city was unusually calm, no rush, no chaos. Most people were indoors celebrating with family, which made the timing perfect for a road trip. The light traffic gave the journey a relaxed, almost reflective feel.

As I embarked on the journey, it hit me that this wasn’t just a normal trip. This was history unfolding in real time.

The Drive: Smooth, Scenic, and Symbolic

The road trip was surprisingly smooth. No long traffic hold-ups, no stress, just a steady drive through the Niger Delta landscape. The sense of connection between communities made the journey deeply meaningful.

I documented the entire experience on video, capturing the road, the environment, and the quiet excitement of finally being able to say:
“I travelled from Port Harcourt to Bonny Island by road.”

The entire journey took about 1 hour and 10 minutes, a time that still feels unbelievable considering how inaccessible Bonny used to be.

Arriving in Bonny Island

Pulling into Bonny by road felt surreal. What was once reachable only by boat, helicopter or plane was now connected by land. This road represents more than convenience. It symbolizes development, unity, economic growth and new possibilities for the people of Bonny and Rivers State as a whole.

For locals, travelers, content creators, and businesses, this road changes everything.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas road trip wasn’t just about the destination. It was about witnessing progress. Being able to travel from Port Harcourt to Bonny Island by road is something many never thought they’d see, let alone experience.

If this road becomes permanent, it will redefine travel, trade and tourism in the region. And I’m glad I got to document this moment while it’s still fresh and historic.


I had a chat with some officers on the road. They more friendly ones requested for my number. I gave some and didn't give some. LOL!

Watch the video and enjoy as I cruise through Port Harcourt to Bonny Island.

kpankpangolo:
One hour and ten minutes. Impressive. Speedboats are fifty minutes, meanwhile passenger boats are two hours. Looking forward to enjoying this in the future. The Nigerian Police with their dubious ways will start kidnapping people on the road in a bid to enforce checkpoints in the area.

saphiere:
A Christmas Day Road Trip to Bonny Island: A Journey Long Awaited



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBdCJRZhYbA

seun nlfpmod Merry Christmas to you all.

ryloy:
God Bless President Muhammadu Buhari

9jatriot:
The major bane of APC is security and aybe inflation but when it comes to infrastructure, PDP does not coe close.

Fr all those claiming all the road projects in the country were stopped because of the coastal road, I know they will still not agree that they have been lying.

saphiere:
Speedboats are 45 minutes

thatigboman:
Sapphire u didn't show your face. Wanted to see if u were u actually a man masquerading as a woman like Mr Woman ngeneukwenu that's claiming female till he was caught on car reflection on abakiliki road and we found out he was a man. I still have the picture and the post in my archive but swear never to expose him again.

thatigboman:
Sapphire u didn't show your face. Wanted to see if u were u actually a man masquerading as a woman like Mr Woman ngeneukwenu that's claiming female till he was caught on car reflection on abakiliki road and we found out he was a man. I still have the picture and the post in my archive but swear never to expose him again.

thatigboman:
Sapphire u didn't show your face. Wanted to see if u were u actually a man masquerading as a woman like Mr Woman ngeneukwenu that's claiming female till he was caught on car reflection on abakiliki road and we found out he was a man. I still have the picture and the post in my archive but swear never to expose him again.

cucumbar:
Which 45 mins? All those useless boats that can keep you in the water for 2 hours? dey play

I stayed in bonny for more than 10 years until 2022, except things changed after I left.

With those rickety speed boats and their demonic drivers, You can't predict when you'll get to the other side.

ryloy:
God Bless President Muhammadu Buhari
God Bless President Bola Tinubu
God Bless Babatunde Fashola
God Bless Engr David Umahi
God Bless All Progressive Congress
God Bless Federal Republic of Nigeria

But

God will never forgive PDP, Jonathan, Yar'Adua and Obasanjo

saphiere:
A Christmas Day Road Trip to Bonny Island: A Journey Long Awaited



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBdCJRZhYbA

Merry Christmas to you all

muykem:
This is a waste of money according to Peter Obi. The money should have been safe in Peter Obi Bank so Mr. President will be telling Nigeria how he left trillions for incoming President.

saphiere:
A Christmas Day Road Trip to Bonny Island: A Journey Long Awaited



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBdCJRZhYbA

Merry Christmas to you all

manuelkel:
That is what happens when you have a competent engineer like Dave Umahi.
I can testify that Dave's company is quick to finishing infrastructures.
The man dey supervise projects himself everyday, you can't give him an excuse.

9jatriot:
The major bane of APC is security and aybe inflation but when it comes to infrastructure, PDP does not coe close.

Fr all those claiming all the road projects in the country were stopped because of the coastal road, I know they will still not agree that they have been lying.

saphiere:
A Christmas Day Road Trip to Bonny Island: A Journey Long Awaited



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBdCJRZhYbA

Merry Christmas to you all

helinues:
Enjoy your trip. The kind of sleep I sleep today heh, I should have added weight..

Meanwhile, hope something bad won't happen to all those who condemned the project and still be plying it. The development projects under this government are visible to the blind, audible to the deaf

benardtotti:
I hope you will vote for the party that made this possible after donkey years of the project being a pipe dream .

If you like go and vote for the candidate that said infrastructure is not important.

Or vote for the one who said he will sell all fg assets to his allies .

OredoPikin2:
ignorance is really a disease

saphiere:
A Christmas Day Road Trip to Bonny Island: A Journey Long Awaited



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBdCJRZhYbA

Merry Christmas to you all

helinues:
You better no carry this mumu mentality enter the new year