BREAKING! Bonny Local Government Declares Emergency on Flooding
The Chairman of Bonny Local Government Area, Abinye Pepple has declared an emergency on flooding in the area, urging stakeholders to coalesce with the government to achieve a reprieve.
Pepple made this declaration on Monday, September 29, 2025 during a One-Day Emergency Summit on Flood and Erosion Management in Bonny, Rivers State.
He stated that to achieve the objective of checkmating flooding and erosion in Bonny LGA, the input of relevant stakeholders is key, appealing for strategic synergy to solve the flooding issue in Bonny.
“This local government, under our watch, has declared an emergency on flooding in Bonny Local Government Area.”
“We can only survive this emergency only through our collective commitment, through our concerted efforts, and through our collective support.”
“I am confident in the leadership of the committee and the participation of these stakeholders in this that this emergency will not consume this local government area.”
“I know that the next few hours the keynote speaker and other guests will help us and advise government on the method and the best strategy to overcome this menace.”
“I am convinced that this summit will bring the desired solution to address the emergency of flood disaster in Bonny Local Government Area.”
He also expressed the determination of his administration to provide the necessary framework to address the issue, adding that the interest and wellbeing of the people of Bonny remains the cardinal focus of the government under his watch.
Giving an overview of the essence of the Summit, Chairman of the Technical Committee on Flood and Erosion Management, Dr Fubara Dan-Jumbo said the purpose of the Summit is to get rid of flooding in Bonny Island.
He narrated the findings of his committee on the flooding situation in Bonny, lamenting that the international oil and gas companies have blocked most of the channels through which water evacuates, urging them to review the environmental-friendliness of their facilities in Bonny.
On his part, the keynote speaker, Professor Uwajiogak Ujile stated that Bonny Island is a victim of global warning and climate change being experienced across the world, regretting, however, that the activities of individuals and companies have aggravated the menace which manifests in flooding and other disasters.
The communities living along the coastlines are more affected by the effects of both climate change and global warming, enjoining such communities like Bonny to be intentional about their environmental management policies and actions.
On his part, the Head of Operations at the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Port Harcourt Operations Office, Eric Ebodaghe, noted that the Bonny LGA Chairman was the first to declare an emergency on flooding in the State, indicating the readiness of his agency to work with the government to address the issue of flooding.
Various stakeholders and participants, who spoke at the summit, commended the Chairman for being pragmatic about addressing the flooding debacle, expressing optimism in the capacity of the current government to exercise the political will needed to confront the menace.
