By katherine Abayomi
Service Commanders in Rivers State on Tuesday 13th May,2025 on the directive of the Sole Administrator of the state,Vice Admiral(rtd) Ibok Ete Ibas held meeting with stakeholders in Bonny local government area on issues bordering on security of lives and critical national assets as well as welfare.
Commissioner of Police in Rivers State,CP Olugbenga Adepoju represented the Sole Administrator of the state and led heads of other service commanders such as Nigeria Navy Ship,NNS pathfinder,Nigeria Army 6 Division garrison,Nigeria Security And Civil Defence Corps,DSS to the LGA,in his speech said “We are here on directive of the Sole Administrator of Rivers State,Vice Admiral(rtd) Ibok-Ete Ibas to interact with you on security challenges of the LGA and challenges facing the area interms of welfare.
“We all know the LGA houses critical national assets,like the oil and gas facilities which are very important to the nation’s economy,the state and the Local government area.
“He wants you to synegize with the LGA Administrator and the heads of security agencies in your the LGA to protect and secure the national assets.
“He equally wants us to find out challenges facing the LGA.Such as infrastructure,schools,health facility etc”.
The Rivers Police Boss stated that the service commanders will send the compaints of the people of Bonny LGA to the Sole Administrator of the state for necessary action.
In his welcome address,the Administrator of Bonny LGA, Kingsiey Banigo disclosed that the stakeholders meeting aims to enhance safety of the area.
“It will give us opportunity to explore benefitts that improves security measures.Approach the discussion with open mind.We will implement solutions that will benefit everybody.
“Our unity is paramount.By working hand in hand,we can ensure Bonny LGA remains peaceful”,Mr Banigo said.
On his part,the leader of Bonny Youth Federation, Banigo Anthony, stated that for over twenty -four years the LGA is lacking in infrastructure.
“We do so much for the state and country but we dont get what is commensurate to our efforts.No major road constructed by the state.We have a school called modern primary school it has been abandoned,we want it to be renovated
“We need proper drainage system.
We have issue of sea piracy, where our people are being kidnapped on the water.We need more security presence on our water ways. We need the Bonny ring road completed to be completed” he said.
Mr Okereke Jonathan Ekine,Liason Officer of NYSC in his contribuction revealed that Corpers dont have lodge in Bonny.
“We need a lodge and welfare from the state.We need proper transportstion to cross the river” he said.
Leader of Bonny Women Forum,Helen Jack wilson Pepple stated that a week ago there was kidnap incident on their water ways.
“Five persons were kidnapped from our waterway around Dutch Island.My son is included.Our water ways is not secured.
“Drugs abuse is on incresse in Bonny Kingdom.We need to stop it.We need internal roads linking the villages in Bonny.
There is issue of cultism which has to be eradicated” Mrs Helen stated.
Peter Ability, Secretary of non-indigene without border in his contribuctiin said
“Our chances of getting job in Bonny is very limited as non-indigene.Sometimes we pay huge amount to get the job.
Most of the crimes are committed by non-indigenes because of lack of employment”.
Representative of title citizens of Bonny, Fred stephen Pepple in his contribuction said “Our waterways is not safe.There is need to improve on intelligence gathering.Bulglary is on increase in the Island.
“We need establishment of Neighbourhood watch.The Bodo-Bonny road should be completed”.
Ijaw Youth Council representative in the LGA, Charles Banigo said
“If we tell the companies to give us the kind of boat they have,they will refuse.
Let the companies give us the kind of boat that are using,that will take us to and fro PortHarcourt.Bonny Indigenes are not employed by oil companies.
There is no impact of NDDC like solar lights in rural areas in Bonny LGA”.
Jude Joshua Pepple, President of Bonny Graduate Forum in his contribuction said “We need scholarship for undergraduates and post graduates”.
Vice Chairman of Bonny Chiefs Council, Jack wilson Pepple in his submission said “let the issues raised here be addressed.Whatever our people raised here should be addressed by the Sole Administrator of the state.
“Bonny is peaceful because we felt there are ways to address our issues rather than fighting each other.We want our complaint s to be given adequate attention.
“We have 34 chieftancy houses.We are one kingdom,nothing will seperate us.
Some of the issues here is that some of the multimationals do not keep to the agreement reached with the kingdom.
“Let the security agencies safeguard the Bonny Bodo road when completed.
We need security post in our territorial boundary with communities in other LGAs.
We have not benefited anything from NDDC despite effect of pollution on us.
“We need specialized hospital in Bonny kingdom.There is need to carry out health assessment of people of Bonny”.
Modern primary school in Bonny and Bonny general hospital which is undergoing renovation was visited by the Service Commander for inspection.