Bonny Island

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Bonny Island has been an important trading centre from the 16th century and this is reflected in the complex ethnic mix of its people. The major indigenous ethnic group is the Ibani, who trace their origins to a section of the Ndoki ethnic group. The Kingdom of Bonny has a long well established 

history including periods of conflict with the British (e.g. in the 1850). The sociocultural aspects of the local population are highly dependent on their ethnic background and religion.

 At Bonny Christianity predominates, although there are strong influences from traditional religious beliefs. The social and cultural fabric of local societies is centered upon the household, attitudes to gender, and the traditional authority structures which exist. Rivers State has experienced intense social and political change, which, in recent years, has culminated in economic dissatisfaction, especially with the oil and gas industry. The main occupations of people on Bonny Island are farming, fishing and trading. Employment levels vary considerably, with a figure of 72% in Bonny Town and only 26% in New Finima. Agriculture is not as important on Bonny Island as in other parts of Rivers State.

On Bonny Island farming takes place on the dryland ridges within the galloping swamp forest. There is some growing of cassava and other cash crops, and crops for personal consumption. There is some plantation agriculture on the island (Coconut Plantation) and evidence of recent clearance of forest for agricultural purposes. Fishing is a very important economic activity at Bonny Island. It has been estimated that fish may account for as much as 80% of protein consumption in such coastal areas of Nigeria. The catches are partly retained for consumption and partly sold at market. The economy of Rivers State is dependent primarily on agriculture, the oil and gas industry, forestry and fishing. Much of the Niger Delta has a limited land-based infrastructure due to its inaccessibility and water transport is, therefore, very important. Bonny Island has no road connecting it to Port Harcourt and ferries and water taxis on the Bonny River provide the link to Port Harcourt.

Bonny Island is situated at the southern edge of Rivers State in the Niger Delta of Nigeria near Port Harcourt. In the early 1990s the Federal Government of Nigeria, in collaboration with 3 international partners, Shell Gas BV., CLEAG Limited [ELF] and AGIP International BV. started the multi-billion dollar project Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas Limited (Nigeria LNG)[1]. Due to its strategic position, the island hosts various oil companies including Royal Dutch Shell, Mobil, Chevron, Agip, and Elf.Port Harcourt is the closest city to Bonny Island. Ferries are the main form of transport to and from the island.

Bonny Island has been an important trading centre from the 16th century and this is reflected in the complex ethnic mix of its people. The major indigenous ethnic group is the Ibani, who trace their origins to a section of the Ndoki ethnic group.The Kingdom of Bonny has a long well established  history including periods of conflict with the British (e.g. in the 1850).