Bonny Gentlemen’s League Tasks Bonny LG to Synergize with Stakeholders on Development of New Bonny Town to Ease Overpopulation

The rapid and unstructured development of Bonny Island in Rivers State has raised concerns among stakeholders, prompting calls for a new urban plan to address overpopulation and enhance governance.

One of such stakeholders, the Bonny Gentlemen’s League (BGL), called on the Chairman of Bonny LGA, Anengi Claude-Wilcox to leverage the current harmonious relationship with the Bonny Traditional Institution to immediately acquire a minimum of 1,000 hectares of land within Bonny LGA for development of a New Bonny Town.

It further urged her to independently engage the services of Town/City Planning and Urban Development experts to advise the Bonny Local Government Council on practicable strategies of developing industrial, commercial and residential layouts in the New Bonny Town.

This call was conveyed via a communique issued after its 45th Convention and 3rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on Sunday, December 22, 2024, signed by its Chancellor, Kalada Green, Registrar, Victor Jumbo, and Chairman Current and National Affairs Committee, Torudoghubo Jamaica.

The Bonny Gentlemen’s League, which is a socio-cultural organization dedicated to the sustainable development of Bonny Local Government Area, stated that its renewed advocacy for the establishment of a New Bonny Town, was etched on the pressing need to decongest Bonny Town, citing poor planning and unregulated expansion.

The proposed New Bonny Town, according to the League, will not only relieve population pressure but also enable the Local Government Council to enforce much-needed building guidelines and urban planning regulations.

In the communique, the League extended congratulations to the Chairman of Bonny LGA, Anengi Claude-Wilcox, on her successful re-election at the just concluded local government polls.

Acknowledging the responsibilities that come with her renewed mandate, the League urged her and her administration to prioritize impactful developmental projects, with the establishment of New Bonny Town being a key focus.

In its agenda setting for the Bonny Local Government, the League proposed the roadmap for the development of New Bonny Town, and emphasized the need for meticulous planning.

Apart from easing congestion, the initiative is expected to generate long-term revenue streams for the Bonny Local Government and the Bonny Traditional Institution.

With a structured approach to urbanization, the League believes that Bonny can transition into a well-organized and economically viable region.

Stakeholders in the community have expressed optimism about the proposal, urging the government to act swiftly in implementing the recommendations.

The call for a New Bonny Town marks a significant step in addressing the infrastructural and planning challenges that have long plagued the region.

As deliberations go on, residents and investors await concrete actions from the local government to turn this vision into reality