By Emma Sunday
The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has pledged support for a three-year strategic programme to transform Bonny Kingdom in Rivers State into a globally competitive tourism destination.
Addressing stakeholders during the Bonny Island Tourism and Investment Summit on Friday, the NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, said the “Discover Bonny and Orange Economy” initiative was designed to drive economic transformation through enterprise development, investment promotion and job creation.
Ogbuku, represented by the Commission’s Director of Commercial and Industrial Development, Mrs Lyna Okara, noted that tourism extends beyond hospitality and impacts security, communications, finance, education, health and sustainable economic growth.
Christened the “Orange Economy,” the summit was organised by the Bonny Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, BCCIMA, under the theme, “Bonny Island: Transforming into a Premier Global Destination.”
Ogbuku commended BCCIMA for the initiative aimed at mobilising capital, supporting innovation and creating sustainable opportunities for entrepreneurs and emerging businesses within Bonny and the wider Niger Delta region.
“For decades, when the world thought of Bonny, it thought of one thing, namely, what was under the water; not what was on top of it. Oil and gas built roads, schools, jetties that still put food on tables. Today, Bonny is doing what the river has always done. It is finding a new path through tourism,” he said.
He said the NDDC mandate centres on sustainable development, economic empowerment, infrastructural growth, human capital development and inclusive prosperity across the Niger Delta.
The NDDC boss added that the Commission has continued to champion programmes that empower youths, women, entrepreneurs and SMEs through skills acquisition, enterprise support, innovation hubs, sponsorship and strategic partnerships.
He cited the 2023 launch of the Niger Delta Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines and Agriculture, NDCCITMA, as part of efforts to promote trade, investment and regional economic integration.
Ogbuku assured that the Commission will work with economic development institutions and private investors to empower youths, stimulate enterprise growth, support start-ups and unlock new economic frontiers.
Director General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority, Dr Olayiwola Awakan, said Bonny Island is blessed with tourism attractions waiting to be exploited.
He stressed that a private-sector approach is necessary to ensure Bonny’s tourism economy remains commercially viable and not dependent solely on government funding.
President of BCCIMA, Dr Constance Nwokejiobi, said the Orange Economy initiative will complement Bonny’s oil and gas economy with a sustainable tourism industry anchored on the kingdom’s cultural heritage, historical sites, natural attractions and hospitality potential.
She said the plan includes a Tourism Concierge Platform, a structured partnership framework for investors and a privately driven Tourism Centre.
Traditional ruler of Grand Bonny Kingdom, King Edward Asimini William Dappa Pepple III, said Bonny has a proud history and contributes significantly to the national economy through oil and gas.
He added that tourism can provide a second, more sustainable economic pillar for the kingdom.
