The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) Rivers State Chapter, has called on Rivers State Government, to wake up to its responsibilities to the citizens so as to ensure a safer and more conducive environment for workers and residents to dwell in.

In a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Jerry Needam, on the occasion of the World Habitat Day Celebration for 2011, the party holds that the celebration of the habitat day ought to signify healthy, peaceful and secure environment, one that is free from pollution.

With water and electricity made available for the well being of the citizenry.

However, the party says, the reverse is largely the case with neither water nor light being provided, while pollution is the order of the day and security, a mirage.

It further noted that with numerous robbery incidents reported daily in Diobu axis of Port Harcourt and other hot belts, the guarantee of a safe habitat for the state workforce would remain a far cry.

In another development, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) Rivers State, has kicked against what it described as the state government’s “new threats to demolish more properties in the city of Port Harcourt”, stressing that residents and property owners are yet to get over the trauma and untold hardship previous demolition exercises without alternative provisions had subjected them to.

The party regrets that most demolitions in the past were not carried out for projects of overriding public interest but done to displace occupants and sell their properties to private individuals while rendering the evicted homeless.

It therefore, tasks the state government on carrying out its habitat programmes with a human face, with a view to making alternative arrangements for those to be affected by its demolition activities, and not send them into the streets without hope.

Sylvia ThankGod-Amadi