Ministry Vows To Demolish Govt House Fence

The Rivers State Ministry of Urban and Rural Development has said it would rigorously pull down illegal structures this year, assuring that the Government House, Port Harcourt fence would be pulled down this year.

Barr Osina Gina who stated this on Friday in an interview said it is the solid nature of the wall that still keeps it standing because the ministry lacks appropriate equipment to pull it down.

The commissioner explained that the state government has concluded arrangements with Julius Berger to pull the fence down and rebuild it in line with the policy of government to have only, “see through” fences, in the city.

Gina warned that structures built on government land would be pulled down no matter how beneficial and costly the structures might be, adding that this is the only way sanity could be brought into the system.

On the ultimatum given to business owners in Government Reserved Areas (GRA) to relocate this month, January 2010, the government said the ministry would soon enforce the law but noted that a committee has been set up to take statistics of how many business houses are located in the GRA.

He also explained that the committee was also given mandate to list those who build houses without approval from the ministry, stressing that commercial houses built in residential areas would be pulled down.

The commissioner further assured Rivers people to expect vigorous and well planned urban renewal and development control in the state, adding that the governor has given him mandate to review the city and ensure that the development is in line with government policy.

Gina said to ensure control in the development of the city the ministry has set up a development control taskforce and another special committee to monitor the taskforce that goes to the field.

“We shall resume this week and those that have not yet complied, we shall definitely without fear or favour take corrective measures against the illegal structures.”