A House of Representatives candidate of the Social Democratic Party’s candidate in the 2023 general elections, Fubara Willie-Pepple has described as heartwarming the recent moves by the Amanyanabo and Natural Ruler of Bonny Kingdom to jumpstart key development projects across the Bonny island.

Willie-Pepple told Kristina Reports in a recent interview in Bonny, Rivers State that His Majesty, King Edward Asimini William Dappa Pepple III, CON, DSSRS, JP, the Natural Ruler and Amanyanabo of Bonny Kingdom was an altruistic monarch who has the interest of his people at heart.

He referred to the King’s statements that “work will soon commence on the following projects: Expansion of Bonny main road from Shell Gate to Coal Beach and from Amaomu Junction down to King Perekule Palace; a Sports Academy with 5,000 capacity stadium, hostel, clinic and other training and social facilities…”

“Same as an Expressway from Workers’ Camp junction to Simidia Junction on Abalamabie Road, as well as Vehicular Terminal that would complement the soon-to-be completed Bodo-Bonny road.”

He aligned himself with the Monarch’s postulation that “With all these and others too numerous to mention we believe that we have made significant strides towards building a kingdom that we can all take immense pride in”.

He pointed out that to sustain the trajectory of development being driven towards Bonny Kingdom, there is need for stakeholders to rally around the King to fully realise his vision of transforming all of Bonny Island.

“We cannot but support him and give verve to his vision of a transformed island community; and this is all of us in the political space, business spectrum, and every other strata of society.”

“His Majesty, the King has been deliberate about bringing the goods home. We can attest to the fact that he leveraged his connections, acumen and resources to ensure that we have steady light, potable water, and several other development projects and initiatives.”

He lauded the achievements of King Pepple, who is also King Perekule XI and King Edward I, noting that from infrastructure to job creation to social investment and institutionally driven initiatives, the King has ensured that he sustains the push for a better deal for his people.  

“Talking about what the King has done, there are innumerable things out there, even the ones, we politicians are supposed to do. He created institutions to ensure inclusivity. He has leveraged his relationship with the multinationals to attract infrastructural development, and much more.”

He applauded the milestones achieved through the Bonny Chamber of Commerce and Industry such as the Bonny Kingdom Free Trade Zone, international exposure of the Bonny business environment through membership of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and various trade missions organized by the Bonny Chamber, as well as active roles in the National Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA).

He called on various stakeholders to support the Bonny Monarch to continue to do more, asserting that his initiatives are broadly beneficial to would-be investors, tourists, and the people of the area, adding that “the things he is doing are for our own good and we need to support him”.