Bonny Council Boss Declares Flood an Emergency

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The Chairman of Bonny Local Government Area, Amasenibo Hon. Abinye Blessing Pepple, DSSRS, has declared the flood menace ravaging the area an emergency, citing the severe impact on residents and communities.

Pepple made the declaration during the ongoing Summit on Flood and Erosion Management organized by the Technical Committee on Drainage, Flood Management, and Control.

Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the event, the council boss said the decision underscores his administration’s recognition of the persistent challenge, pains, and suffering floods have inflicted on the people of Bonny.

“Declaring flood an emergency is not just symbolic; it is a call for urgent and concerted action. Our people have endured untold hardship year after year, and it is our responsibility to prioritize solutions,” Pepple stated.

He assured that the local government, in collaboration with relevant agencies and stakeholders, will intensify efforts toward mitigating the effects of flooding, exploring both short-term relief measures and long-term solutions.

The Bonny chairman further urged residents, development partners, and government institutions to support initiatives aimed at improving drainage systems, promoting environmental best practices, and protecting vulnerable communities.

Flooding has remained a recurring nightmare in Bonny, a coastal local government in Rivers State and home to Nigeria’s major oil and gas installations, including the Nigeria LNG plant. In recent years, heavy rains and rising sea levels have led to the displacement of families, destruction of farmlands, and damage to critical infrastructure.

Communities such as Finima, Ayama, and Abalamabie have been repeatedly affected, with residents often lamenting the loss of livelihoods and exposure to health risks from waterborne diseases.

Experts have attributed the worsening situation to poor drainage, coastal erosion, rising tides, and the impact of climate change on riverine settlements. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has consistently listed Bonny among the high-risk flood-prone areas in Rivers State.

Pepple’s declaration is expected to set the stage for broader interventions, with hopes that the emergency status will attract urgent attention from both the federal and state governments, as well as private sector stakeholders operating in the oil-rich council area.

John Ollor Obe 

(c) Prime Heritage Magazine 

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