The Bonny Maritime Transport Association (BMTA), has commended the Rivers State Government and the Nigerian Navy for tackling insecurity and other forms of criminal activities along the Bonny/Billie waterways.
The association expressed happiness that normalcy has returned to Bonny/Billie waterways as the Navy and marine police now patrol the channels on daily basis to protect lives and property.
This commendation was made by BMTA Marine Safety Officer, Comrade Kingdom Dom, during a telephone interview with The Tide in Port Harcourt.
Comrade Dom noted that criminal activities along the Bonny /Bille waterways had reduced to the barest minimum and solicited for the deployment of more gunboats to the routes.
He said that over four gunboats now patrol Bonny/Bille waterways on daily basis to provide security for sea travellers.
“No more problems of sea pirates in Bonny waterways, normalcy has returned to the routes, passengers and boat drivers are safe to ply the routes now”
“We have not recorded any piracy, kidnapping along the routes since the deployment of more gunboats by the security agencies”, he said.
Dom noted that the spate of insecurity along Bonny routes had scared away many passengers and would-be investors in the island, appealing to them to return to the island.
He also dismissed fears that the association would increase boat fare to Bonny this Easter season, saying there is no such plan to increase the fare from the normal rate of N2,200.
He, however, appealed to the Federal Government to reduce the petroleum pump price to enable the operators to render efficient and effective service to the public.

By: Chinedu Wosu