Bonny LGA Chairman Abinye Pepple Assures Bonny Fire Station Will Be Ready By June

Residents of Bonny Local Government Area can look forward to a fully operational fire station, as the chairman, Abinye Blessing Pepple, has confirmed that the long-awaited Bonny Fire Station will soon be ready for use.

Speaking on Bonny FM, Pepple said the project, originally conceived in 2015 during his tenure in the Rivers State House of Assembly, is now receiving legislative backing from the Bonny Legislative Assembly ahead of its planned inauguration in the second quarter of 2026.

He said, “So now that I came on board as local government chairman, I have done my best to ensure that the local assembly has accepted what I have done by forwarding the Bonny fire station bill to them, they are working on the bill and I'm sure that soon they will come up with the public hearing, after public hearing, the bill will be passed by the local assembly, then I will sign it into law.”

Bonny LGA Chairman, Abinye Blessing Pepple in the Bonny FM studio

According to the council chairman, funding challenges previously delayed the project, but said recent efforts have ensured that the necessary legislation will allow public funds to cover staff salaries and operational costs. 

“My duty is to provide the infrastructure and that was exactly what I did. But unfortunately and very regrettably, people expect me as a member of the House of Assembly to fund and sustain a public utility. 

That is very ridiculous. But now that we have the yam and the knife, we are putting the legal framework to ensure that you (we) take over the fire station as a local government and fund it without any hesitation,” Pepple added. 

The chairman also revealed that the Bonny Local Government Area 2026 Budget and Appropriation Bill, which includes funding for the fire station and other key policies, will be presented to the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, March 24.

In addition to the fire station, he noted other priorities in the proposed budget, particularly in education. 

The chairman entering the Bonny Consulate building which houses Bonny FM

“I think every responsible government shouldn't just come and undermine education. You cannot talk about the growth of the community, you cannot talk about the prosperity of the community without paying strong attention to education,” he said.

During the conversation, the chairman further highlighted improved security across the LGA as one of the major achievements of his administration.

He said, “Since we came on board, we have enjoyed strong collaboration of all security agencies, and you can recall that for the very first time in over 30 years, we had a Christmas in 2025 where no one was molested, no one was arrested, there was no gunshot, there was virtually nothing. Everywhere was peaceful.”

The chairman, some members of his council, Administrative Secretary - Bonny Consulate Building, Adaobu Blue-jack, and some Bonny FM staff

Listen to the full conversation here: