Hadiza Bala Usman
Mkpoikana Udoma 26 October 2016, Sweetcrude, Port Harcourt – The Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, has announced plans to build a port reception facility on Bonny Island, Rivers State.
This came after the traditional ruler of Grand Bonny, His Royal Majesty King Edward Asimini William Dappa-Pepple, expressed disappointment at what he termed “the age-long neglect of Bonny Kingdom by the NPA”.
Speaking when he led top management staff of NPA to Bonny to discuss environmental concerns raised by the inhabitants, Executive Director, Marine and Operations, Dr. Sokonte Davies, said the new management under the leadership of Hadiza Bala Usman will partner with Bonny people to drive development process process in the area.
He spoke of plans for the execution of various projects on the island, one of which is the port reception facility.
Also speaking on behalf of the port reception facility operators, Mr. Olajide Oluwayemi, said having provided facilities in Lagos, Warri, Calabar and Port Harcourt, what is intended for Bonny is a solid waste recycling plant that would manage waste that constitutes nuisance in the marine environment.
He explained that the project will ensure that all wastes on Bonny Island comes to the facility at no cost, employing more people from the Island, reducing the negative environmental impact, improving the aesthetics of the shoreline and Bonny having a good natural beach that could be developed to a tourist site that will attract more people to the island.
Other multinational companies on the island will also benefit from the project, he said.
According to him, “Most vessels that come to Bonny rather discharge their wastes into the sea on their way back, which eventually comes back to the Bonny environment. The same is true for local contractors who collect such waste from vessel operators at some stipends without a means of properly managing the waste,” he said.
Having considered the benefits of the world-class facility to the people of Bonny, King Edward Asimini William Dappa-Pepple, lauded the project and said he was in total support of it as tit was in line with his vision for Bonny Kingdom.
