As part of efforts to properly manage environmental issues affecting his domain, the Amanyanabo and Natural Ruler of Bonny Kingdom, His Majesty, King Edward Pepple III, CON, Perekule XI, says that a recycling plant will be established in Bonny soon. 

This is just as the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited appealed to fisher folks in Bonny Local Government Area to synergize with it to effectively manage the environment, especially, the Bonny maritime corridor.  

The Bonny Monarch, who is also King Edward 1^st, gave this indication during an Interactive Meeting with the Fisher-folk Community and other stakeholders in Bonny LGA on Friday, February 19, 2021 in Bonny.   

Represented by the Chief in charge of Environment and Vice Chairman of the Bonny Chiefs Council (BCC), Se-Alabo Hanniel Jack-Wilson Pepple, the former Chairman of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers stated that discussions on establishing a recycling plant in Bonny Island will be reopened.

He stressed that given the long overdue need for such a facility in Bonny as part of environmental management efforts, the issues associated with its establishment would be looked into.

The Amanyanabo also reassured that the security of the Bonny waterways was being mainstreamed to ensure that the marine environment was safe and secure for the fishermen in the area to go about their diliy activities.

Speaking, Head, Engagement, Community Relations and Sustainable Development, Nigeria LNG, Isaac Chu praised the executive of the Bonny Fishermen Association for providing the right  leadership for the fisher-folk in the area.

He tasked the Association to consider the prospect of harnessing waste materials such as plastics as money spinners, adding that the dual advantage is the cleanliness of the environment, while advising the fisher-folks to work closely with their leaders.

On his part, NLNG’s Senior Security Advisor, Charles Onyekachi urged the fishermen to endeavour to fish outside the exclusive security zone, warning that the vessels plying the sea route carry “a lot of gas and unlike crude oil, gas can explode at any time”.

He emphasised that adhering to existing guidelines on areas to fish was critical to managing the NLNG security zone in the waterline, revealing that that this informed the continued marine police and naval patrols around the NLNG safety and security exclusion zone, adding that it was for the protection of assets.

Onyekachi advised the fisher-folks to always wear personal protective equipment (PPE) given to them by NLNG for easy identification and protection, adding that it was important for them to also carry their mobile phones at all times for easy communication.  

Also speaking, NLNG’s Manager, Ship Fleet Management, Lawrence Chukwu highlighted the negative impact of marine plastic litters, such as water bottles, sachet water packs, nylon, among others, warning that when these items are thrown in the water can cause a lot of damage because the materials have lifespans of approximately 400 years before they can disintegrate.

He listed health hazards associated with dumping plastic wastes in the river to include cancer, diabetics, pointing out that such plastic wastes also represent a danger to marine vessels as plastics sucked into the jet of a boat can slow down the speed of the boat, noting that “when the waterline is clean, you see the fishes reproduce more and economic activities will be boosted”.

President of the Bonny Fishermen Association, Promise Pristol lamented that his members were still facing attacks by sea pirates, who not only snatch their boats from them, but also take their engines, pleading with the relevant stakeholders to make security available to them.

A member of the fisher-folk community, Pastor George Jumbo called for the establishment of a recycling plant where plastic bottles can be recycled, emphasising that a recycling plant in Bonny will go a long way in helping to manage wastes in the area.