Renaissance Backs Bonny’s Push for Tourism, Investment Diversification

Renaissance Backs Bonny’s Push for Tourism, Investment DiversificationRenaissance Africa Energy Company has backed efforts to position Bonny Kingdom as a major tourism and investment destination beyond its traditional oil and gas economy.The company’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Tony Attah, stated this on Wednesday at the Bonny Island Tourism and Investment Summit, tagged “Discover Bonny”.Attah said the summit provided an opportunity to showcase Bonny’s rich history, culture, heritage and hospitality while opening new economic opportunities for its people.He said Bonny’s identity should not be defined solely by its contribution to Nigeria’s energy industry.“The story of Bonny did not begin with energy, and it should not be limited to energy,” Attah said.He described the “Discover Bonny” initiative as a call to the world to explore the kingdom’s cultural heritage, history, hospitality and economic potential.Attah said Renaissance’s support reflected its confidence in Bonny’s leadership, people and capacity to develop a sustainable tourism economy.“Our role as a Tier 1 partner is not ceremonial. It is a statement of confidence in Bonny’s potential,” he said.According to him, sustainable tourism could complement Bonny’s established energy industry by creating opportunities and promoting shared prosperity.He said the initiative represented a new chapter for Bonny, with tourism offering opportunities to diversify the local economy and strengthen its global profile.The summit attracted government officials, traditional rulers, development partners, investors and private-sector leaders to discuss tourism, heritage preservation and investment opportunities.The Amanyanabo of Bonny Kingdom, His Majesty King Edward Asimini William Dappa Pepple III, said Bonny had enormous potential across tourism, culture, commerce and investment.Pepple said the kingdom possessed the historical significance, natural attractions and human resources required to become a globally recognised destination.Also speaking, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria LNG Ltd., Adeleye Falade, urged stronger collaboration among corporate organisations operating in Bonny.Falade said collaboration was critical to transforming Bonny from an industrial hub into a destination capable of attracting visitors from across the world.The summit also examined destination development, sustainable tourism, investment opportunities and partnership frameworks for implementing the Discover Bonny Initiative.The initiative seeks to promote Bonny’s cultural heritage, ecological assets, business opportunities and tourism attractions to domestic and international audiences.Bonny recently received endorsement from the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy as a tourism destination.Among attractions highlighted were the Amanyanabo’s Palace, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, historic British Consulate and Finima Nature Park.The kingdom’s mangrove ecosystem and other natural assets were also identified as part of its tourism potential.Bonny hosts major oil and gas facilities, including the Bonny Oil and Gas Terminal operated by Renaissance’s joint venture and Nigeria LNG Ltd.Renaissance operates Nigeria’s largest oil and gas joint venture assets, involving NNPC, Renaissance, TotalEnergies and AENR.The partners hold participating interests of 55 per cent, 30 per cent, 10 per cent and five per cent respectively.