As preparations gather momentum for the forthcoming “Discover Bonny” – branded as the Bonny Island Tourism and Investment Summit – the event may inadvertently achieve what years of public appeals have failed to accomplish: compelling Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, to confront the glaring infrastructure deficit in Bonny Local Government Area and the unfulfilled promise he made to address it.
Governor Fubara, one of the summit’s headline guests, is expected to visit Bonny at a time when residents continue to grapple with dilapidated roads, inadequate drainage systems, and perennial flooding. For many, his presence offers an opportunity not merely to attend an investment summit but to witness first-hand the realities confronting a community that has long complained of government neglect.
FLASHBACK: Then governorship candidate of the PDP, Siminialam Fubara, flanked from right by Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dr Ipalibo Banigo, his running mate, Professor Ngozi Odu, alternate Leader of PDP in Bonyy LGA, George Tolofari, and Chairman of Bonny LGA, Anengi Barasua, during th rally at Industrial Unit field on Wednesday, January 25, 2023.
During a campaign rally at the Industrial Unit Football Field in Bonny on January 25, 2023, Fubara pledged that, if elected governor, his administration would construct the internal roads in the LGA. Nearly four years later, and with barely ten months left in his tenure, residents say there is little evidence that the promise has translated into action. According to critics, not a single road project has commenced anywhere in Bonny under his administration.
Political observers argue that this apparent inaction reflects a familiar pattern. They draw comparisons with the administration of former Governor, Nyesom Wike, whose eight-year tenure is similarly criticized for leaving little in terms of visible infrastructure in Bonny despite the LGA’s strategic economic importance to Rivers State.
The irony is difficult to ignore.
Bonny remains one of Nigeria’s most economically significant local government areas. It hosts world-class oil and gas installations, contributes substantially to the state’s economy, and serves as a gateway to major national revenue streams. Yet, many residents believe the level of public infrastructure bears little resemblance to the community’s enormous economic value.
Large sections of the road network are in poor condition, drainage infrastructure remains grossly inadequate, and flooding has become a recurring burden on residents and businesses alike. Indeed, many argue that without the interventions of Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) through its Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives, Bonny’s road infrastructure would be in an even more deplorable state.
Against this backdrop, some stakeholders view Governor Fubara’s participation in the summit as a welcome development.
They argue that beyond delivering speeches and exchanging pleasantries, the Governor should be taken on an extensive tour of the community. Such a visit, they believe, would expose him to the condition of roads, flood-prone neighbourhoods, and the daily realities faced by residents.
Some even suggest that if the heavens open on the day of his visit, it would vividly demonstrate the consequences of inadequate drainage infrastructure. During heavy rainfall, many parts of Bonny become submerged, forcing residents to abandon their homes, seek temporary shelter with relatives, or suspend their businesses until floodwaters recede.
To these stakeholders, the issue extends beyond road construction. It is about restoring dignity to a community whose strategic importance has not been matched by corresponding government investment.
They contend that a functional road network, supported by efficient drainage systems, would significantly reduce flooding, improve mobility, stimulate commerce, and enhance the quality of life for residents. Such infrastructure, they argue, is not a luxury but a fundamental requirement for any community aspiring to attract investment.
This is why many consider the Governor’s invitation to the summit particularly significant.
Whether or not the “Discover Bonny” initiative ultimately succeeds in attracting investors, Governor Fubara’s visit presents an opportunity for reflection. It offers him the chance to see, without the filter of official briefings, the state of infrastructure in a community where he once sought—and received—the people’s mandate on the strength of promises that many residents believe remain unfulfilled.
If the summit succeeds in prompting renewed attention to Bonny’s infrastructure challenges, it may yet deliver a lasting outcome beyond conference halls and ceremonial speeches. For the people of Bonny, that would be a far more meaningful legacy than any investment brochure or promotional slogan.