The narrative of development of Bonny Kingdom cannot be rendered without the strategic contributions of the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited and Julius Berger Nigeria (JBN) Limited, the Amanyanabo and Natural Ruler of Bonny Kingdom, His Majesty, King Edward Asimini William Dappa Pepple III, CON, Perekule XI, has said.
King Edward Pepple III said this on Friday, December 11, 2020, when the Nigeria LNG signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Julius Berger Nigeria (JBN) Limited for the reconstruction of the Bonny Consulate Building, a 19th century historic landmark in Bonny Kingdom.
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Nigeria LNG, Tony Attah; and Managing Director of Julius Berger Nigeria (JBN) Limited, Dr. Lars Richter, represented by the Director, Corporate Development, Tobias Meletschus, signed the MoU in the presence of the Amanyanabo and Natural Ruler of Grand Bonny Kingdom, His Majesty, King Edward Asimini William Dappa Pepple III, CON, Perekule XI.
The Bonny King praised both firms for their sustained support for the development of Bonny Kingdom, noting that “the consulate building has the potential of tourism in Bonny Kingdom” and “the potential to drive the much anticipated and needed diversification of the economy of Bonny Kingdom”.
He was particular about the efforts of the Nigeria LNG Managing Director, Tony Attah, observing that “having listened to my very good friend, Tony, I think he thinks for us more than we think for ourselves. I commend his passion for Bonny Kingdom”.
“Honestly, I will always commend the Nigeria LNG for their contributions in the development of this Kingdom. We appreciate the construction of this building in the development strides of Bonny Kingdom. We acknowledge the Bonny Consulate Building as a fitting gift from the Nigeria LNG.”
The former Chairman of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers (RSCTR) informed that “About a year ago, a ground breaking ceremony was performed here in Bonny for the construction of an iconic consulate building, by the traditional leadership of Bonny Kingdom and the Management of Nigeria LNG.
“That ceremony was to kick start the choreographed replication of the old consulate building, with its rich history and importance. Today, we are gathered again, in high spirits, to witness the signing of the memorandum of understanding that would propel the construction of the consulate building”.
Earlier, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Nigeria LNG, Tony Attah expressed the desire of his company to deepen its involvement in the development of Bonny Kingdom in synergy with the Bonny Kingdom Development Foundation (BKDF), appealing to his host, the Amanyanabo and Natural Ruler of Bonny to “allow us to go beyond the Consulate Building to unleash the potentials of Bonny Kingdom through the BKDF”.
The Nigeria LNG CEO expressed optimism that the consulate building will be ready before the end of 2021, stressing that “we shall celebrate 2021 Christmas at the Bonny Consulate Building,” adding that “we appreciate your huge support to the Nigeria LNG”.
On his part, Managing Director of Julius Berger Nigeria (JBN) Limited, Dr. Lars Richter expressed appreciation for the accommodating embrace Bonny Kingdom have accorded his firm, saying that “Bonny Island has been a key project site for Julius Berger”.
Welcoming the guests to the King Perekule Palace for the signing of the MoU for the construction of Consulate Building, Chairman of the Bonny Chiefs’ Council (BCC), Chief Dagogo Wilcox thanked the Nigeria LNG and Julius Berger Nigeria Limited for the synergy between them that has birthed the decision to rebuild the old Consulate Building.
“We are indebted to the Nigeria LNG from thinking it fit to rebuild the old Consulate Building,” he said, charging that the other multinationals in Bonny Kingdom to “consider the revival of historical monuments in the kingdom”.
The MoU signing follows the foundation stone laying ceremony which was part of Nigeria LNG’s 30 years of incorporation and 20 years of production anniversary celebrations in 2019.
The Consulate building, which was the seat of British colonial administration with a district commissioner and other administrative offices in 1897, is being reconstructed to restore the memory of the ancient artefact.
The building, which is a joint corporate social responsibility (CSR) project by NLNG and JBN, on completion, will replicate the look and feel of the old Consulate building and will house Bonny FM Radio Station as well as office of the King of Bonny, a Library, a Museum, a Café, a Movie hall, a Seminar/Exhibition hall, as well as a Souvenir shop and offices for those who will manage various aspects of the facility.
In attendance at the event were the Chairman of Bonny Local Government Area, David Irimagha, top management staff of the Nigeria LNG comprising the General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, Eyono Fatayi-Williams, General Manager, Production, Adeleye Falade, General Manager, Technical Services, Ekeinde Ohiwerei, General Counsel/Company Secretary, Akachukwu Nwokedi, and Manager, Community Relations and Sustainable Development, Godson Dienye.
Others were the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Bonny Division, SP Usman Sadiq, Woman Leader of Bonny Kingdom, Helen Jack-Wilson Pepple, Director General of the Bonny Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (BOCCIMA), Constance Nwokejiobi, First Vice President of the Bonny Kingdom Titled Citizens Assembly, Furosia Wilcox, Dean of the St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Bonny, Very Reverend Richard Hart, and Youth Leader of Bonny Kingdom, Emmanuel Finecountry.
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