Abonnema Wharf Compensation: Princewill Sues For Commercial Rate

The gubernatorial candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the 2007 governorship election in Rivers State, Prince Tonye Princewill, has decried the non use of commercial rate by the Rivers State Government in compensating property owners in Abonnema Wharf.

Princewill who was speaking to newsmen on various issues in the state at the weekend said that the non use of commercial rate in settling the Abonnema Wharf property owners shows that government was not consistent in handling issues of the same magnitude.

He said that the Rivers State government used the commercial rate in settling the Njemanze property owners in Diobu, but wondered why such commercial rate should not also be applied to the Abonnema wharf residents whose properties, he said were undervalued.

Tonye posited that some of the compensations paid to the property owners in the area can not enable them to re-settle themselves either in building or renting another property.

Meanwhile, the Rivers State government has issued a warning to those doing business around the hotel presidential axis, particularly those involved in currency exchange to quit the area.

The commissioner for urban development and physical planning, Dr. Tammy Danagogo who handed down the warning noted that the money dealers were constituting nuisance to the area.

He also warned that the state government will not hesitate to arrest those who will not heed to government instruction, any moment from now.