The leadership of Bonny Local Government Area, has called on the NLNG, and all multinational companies operating within the area to intervene in the fight against sea piracy by assisting with essential logistics and intelligence to support security agencies. (Bonny, originally Okoloama, is a traditional, coastal town and a Local Government Area (LGA) in Rivers State in Southern Nigeria, on the Bight of Bonny. It is also the capital of the Kingdom of Bonny.)
The council made the call through its press secretary, Boma Waribor on Thursday.
The statement read:
“The Bonny Local Government is deeply aware of the ongoing tension and fear among citizens due to the recent increase in sea pirate attacks/ kidnapping on our waterways. We understand the concerns of those who regularly travel and do their legitimate business within these routes and the profound impact these incidents have on the citizens.
While the government security agencies are diligently working to resolve the issue we urge the general public to trust them to handle the situation with the best practice approach that will guarantee a permanent solution.
We acknowledge that a permanent solution is yet to be achieved, however, the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Bonny Local Government, Dame. Hon. Anengi Barasua Claude-Wilcox, DSSRS, JP., assures the public that the government is fully committed to restoring safety and normalcy on our waterways as every necessary step is being taken to combat this menace headlong.
We urge citizens to refrain from turning the issue of sea piracy into political or social media battle as it involves the lives and properties of our people. The memory of the innocent lives lost in the Banigo 5 tragic incident remains fresh in our minds, and we must honor their memory by focusing on meaningful action rather than divisive social media discourses.
In this critical time, we call on the NLNG, and all multinational companies operating within the Bonny local government area to interven in the fight against sea piracy by assisting with essential logistics and intelligence to support the security agencies.
Additionally, we encourage individuals with vital information or suggestions that could aid in eradicating piracy on the Bonny – Port Harcourt waterways to come forward and share it with the designated security agencies outlined by the government or reach out to the Council Chairman directly. Together, we can overcome this challenge and ensure the safety of our waterways for all.”