Bonny Island in Rivers State, Nigeria is underway to becoming a smart city and tourist hub driven by fibre optical technology, stakeholders have said.
President of the Bonny Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (BOCCIMA), Lawrence Jumbo announced this development at the maiden Membership Induction Ceremony held in Abalamabie, Bonny.
Speaking at the event, which was sponsored by the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG), Bonny Local Government Council, and the Bonny Chiefs’ Council (BCC), Jumbo revealed that deploying fibre optics technology to transform Bonny Island into a smart city, tourist hub and relaxation spot was the shared vision of the Amanyanabo and Natural Ruler of Bonny Kingdom, His Majesty, King Edward Pepple III, CON, Perekule XI.
“BOCCIMA has been resuscitated at the right time. Thanks to our visionary Monarch, His Majesty, King Edward Asimini William Dappa Pepple III CON, JP Perekule XI Amanyanabo and Natural Ruler of Grand Bonny Kingdom. He has spent precious time sharing with the BOCCIMA Board his vision for a New Bonny – a smart city, a tourist hub and a place where others can own retirement homes.”
The Rivers State Government through the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Ifeyinwa Nwankpa disclosed that, in line with the BOCCIMA initiative, it would commence an electronic registration of businesses across the State from January 2021.
Represented by the Director of Trade in her ministry, Emmanuel Nwankwo; the Commissioner said the goal was to achieve ease of doing business in the State, especially in Bonny LGA, explaining that this was with a view to having verifiable and accurate data that would be used to populate the State’s Yellow Pages.
“We are going to get verifiable and accurate data which will be used to produce the Yellow Pages or rather review the Yellow Pages we have. The goal is to achieve ease of doing business. We will also be changing the Yellow Pages to Blue Pages in line with the official colour of Rivers State.”
In his goodwill message, Chairman of Bonny LGA, David Irimagha, who was represented by his Vice, Anengi Barasua, reiterated the commitment of his administration to support BOCCIMA to improve the business climate in the area, stressing that the current drive of the chamber was novel and commendable.
On its part, the Nigeria LNG noted that the laudable drive of BOCCIMA to transform the business environment of Bonny Kingdom needed the collaboration of critical stakeholders to achieve its desired results.
The Nigeria LNG, regarded as the foremost gas company in Africa, through its General Manager, External Affairs and Sustainable Development, Eyono Fatayi-Williams, who was represented by the Manager, Nigerian Content, Charles Epelle, hailed the initiative of the chamber, urging the inductees to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the chamber for business growth.
In her keynote address, Director General of BOCCIMA, Constance Nwokejiobi stated that the Bonny Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (BOCCIMA) has positioned itself to act as the business hub of Bonny Kingdom, stressing that “for a viable economic growth, innovation is the great way to success in this digital age”.
She projected that by 2040, Bonny Kingdom would witness exponential population growth, pointing out that hence the Kingdom must address its challenges while harnessing available opportunities.
Nwokejiobi added that the strategic focus in achieving this will be on 12 priorities under four development pillars: Human Capital Development, Economic Expansion and Diversification, Infrastructure Development, and Environmental Sustainability.
Highlights of the event include the presentation of a customized wall clock to the Grand Patron of the chamber, the Amanyanabo and Natural Ruler of Bonny Kingdom, His Majesty, King Edward Asimini William Dappa Pepple III, CON, Perekule XI by the President of BOCCIMA, Lawrence Jumbo.
A total of 81 registered members were inducted as members of the Bonny Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (BOCCIMA) thus reconfiguring the business template of Bonny Kingdom for fast-tracked economic growth, investment drive and employment generation.
Dignitaries at the event include the First Vice President of the Bonny Kingdom Titled Citizens Assembly (TCA), Furosia Wilcox, Chairman, Taiwo Fa1dairo, and members of the Bankers Committee, Bonny Branch, Listing Business Division & Innovation Hub, NSE; Ikenna Emebinah, Senior Partner at SIAO; Ladi Smith, Lead Consultant at Lead Capital, Wale Adewumi, Jessica Essien of Afrinvest, Ovoke Oruma of Quantum Zenith, and Chigozie Onuoha of FSL Securities;, and the Master of Ceremony; Dr Bara Kabaka Brown.
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