The Bonny Local Government Council has dismissed as shortsighted and mischievous criticism trailing the award conferred on its chief executive, Anengi Claude-Wilcox by the Bonny Graduates Forum (BGF).

In a statement by the Deputy Press Secretary to the LG Chairman, Boma Waribor, on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, the Council asserted that there were enough development footprints emplaced by the Claude-Wilcox led administration to justify the conferment of the award.  

The statement titled, “NO ROOM FOR DISTRACTIONS, THERE ARE MULTIPLE DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN BONNY” which listed several projects executed by the incumbent Chairman, read as follows:

“The attention of Bonny Local Government Press Unit has been drawn to a short-sighted comment online implying that there are no development projects in Bonny to warrant the Award of Excellence that was conferred on the Executive Chairman of Bonny Local Government Area, Dame Hon Anengi Barasua Claude-Wilcox, DSSRS, JP, during the 28th anniversary ceremony of the Bonny Graduate Forum (BGF), over the weekend.

We wish to state clearly that such misinformation is in bad faith and an outcome of politics taking too far. It is stemming from intimidation over the remarkable successes and applaud that has been greeting the Dame Anengi Barasua Claude-Wilcox led administration. They are worried that the sterling performance of the Bonny LGA Boss would be a clog in the wheel of their ambitions.

However, it is important we educate their frontman and indeed all other detractors that development projects are not limited to infrastructure. Development project is any effort that improves the living condition of a people, especially those at the grassroots, of which security of lives and property stands tall.

Which development project would be bigger than security? Assuming but not conceding that security was the only project of this administration, is it not deserving of commendation? This was an LGA that was riddled with sea pirates’ attacks, cultism, drug peddling and all what not; but since the commencement of this administration, the storyline has been different and people are now meaningfully productive without fear of molestation which is positively impacting on the economy of the LGA. Is such review not enough reason to warrant an applaud from the BGF?

It is on record that there has been no successful sea pirates attack in the last 20 months of this government. The town is peaceful and calm. This is a monumental feat, and people who are bitter to see progress thrive in this dimension should not stop others from saying “well done” to the Council Boss.

For the benefit of the reading public, the current Bonny Local Government administration can boast of the following projects and more in the last 20 months;

1. The completed Bonny Ultra-Modern Market and relocation of over 300 traders from shanty stores to the more befitting market complex.

2. The fleets of Coaster Buses for the Bonny Local Government Free School Transportation Scheme which has been going on seamlessly since October 2022 till date.

3. The renovated and furnished Bonny Customary Court Complex.

4. The ongoing construction of the permanent office storey building for Bonny Integrated Recruitment Centre.

5. The constructed/commissioned Bishop Gabriel Pepple Road, Bonny

6. The constructed/commissioned Abraham-Hart Motorable Bridge with concretized pavements and caped railings

7. The ongoing construction of multiple residential quarters for Senior Government Officials at the wing B of Bonny Local Government Lodge.

10. The rebuilt Bonny Local Government council store.

11. The reconstructed Amariari link Bridge giving room for improved fishing activities within adjoining settlements

12. Donation of two 200 horsepower Yamaha outboard engines and regular support to the Marine Police formation in Bonny.

13. The distribution of business start-up equipment and packages to indigent women and youths for the cultivation of SMEs (December, 2021).

14. The Nursing Mothers Empowerment Summit (August, 2022)

The foregoing projects are a snippet of how the Executive Chairman of Bonny Local Government Area, Dame Hon Anengi Barasua Claude-Wilcox, DSSRS, JP., has been on top of her game in providing development driven leadership for the people and such would continue to be the order of the day till the full swing of her dispensation.

What the Council Boss needs now are partners and idealists for the furtherance of the current impressive momentum in the LGA, and not distractions. Focus will remain channelled only on development projects as has been the practice over the months.”

The Bonny Graduates Forum (BGF) led by its President, Awoiyeala AIlison, had on Saturday, July 1, 2023 conferred an Award of Excellence on the Chairman of Bonny LGA, Dame Anengi Claude-Wilcox, “in recognition of your selfless services on security matters and your developmental projects in Bonny Local Government Area.

Some netizens, however, took to social media to criticize the award, saying that it lacked merit, as, according to them, there was nothing to justify such an award.

This position has since been countered by other netizens, most of whom are resident in Bonny Island and several attested to the developmental projects either completed or ongoing by the current administration led by Dame Claude-Wilcox.