From Blessing Douglas, Port Harcourt
Stakeholders in Rivers state have been called to promote investment on tourism in the state.
The stakeholders believe that the Bonny Island is an economic opportunity and a captivating tourism destination.
Speaking at the unveiling of the 1st Bonny Investment and Tourism Expo, held in Port Harcourt, king of Bonny kingdom in Rivers State, His Majesty, Edward Dappa Pepple, harped on the need to harness the benefits of the blue economy.
He said that Bonny Island possesses the potentials need to drive an economy predicated on the vast potentials of the maritime environment.
The monarch stated that the “Expo is our proclamation to the world that Bonny, with its history and culture, is ready to take its place on the global stage”, asserting that “from agriculture to renewable energy, Bonny beckons exploration”.
He stressed that “this unveiling is not just an event; it is a declaration of Bonny’s return to global prominence,” stressing that the visionary blueprint of investment and tourism of the Governor Siminalayi Fubara “aligns seamlessly with Bonny’s spirit, rekindling the flame of prosperity”.
Pepple added “let’s not forget the tranquility, synonymous with peace and safety, that defines Bonny – a canvas for cultural exploration and economic endeavors. As we embark on the 1st BITE of Bonny, consider not only the economic prospects but also the cultural treasures awaiting discovery.”
Earlier, the President of Bonny Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Mrs Constance Nwokejiobi noted the contributions of various stakeholders to the growth of business in Bonny Island.
On her part, the Chairperson of Bonny LGA, Dame Anengi Claude-Wilcox, stated that the security architecture around Bonny Island was being firmed up with a view to sustaining its status of an investment and tourism destination.
Represented by her Vice Omoni Longjohn, Claude-Wilcox stated that crime rates, piracy and other misdemeanors have reduced since her assumption of office, noting that the synergy between the government, traditional institution and security agencies remain consolidated in the light of the drive to attract investors and tourists.
