Communities Back RSG On Waterfronts Demolition

The host communities in Port Harcourt City Local Government’s Area have pledged to support the Rivers State Government plans to modernise the waterfronts with a view of reducing the rising crime rate in the state while giving the areas a facelift.
The communities, in a communique issued after a meeting of the indigenous landlords of the waterfronts stretching from Elechi Beach in Rumuwoji community to the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST), Nkpolu-Oroworukwu, pledged their support to the state government’s efforts in reducing and eradicating criminality in the state.
The communiqué, signed by Hon Emmanuel Chike Orlu for Rumuwoji, Kinikanwo Amadi for Mgbundukwu, Gift Amadi for Rumuobiekwe and Isokwo Igwe for Nkpolu-Oroworukwu communities, commended the government plan of giving the waterfronts’ area a new face, and urged impending victims to embrace the plan considering the security challenges in the state.
They regretted that waterfront areas have been turned into hideouts for criminals and kidnappers, and converted to den of robbers, adding that it was difficult for security personnel to fish out criminals due to the difficult terrain of the areas.
The communities noted that the new plan by the government in partnership with relevant NGOs and international partners would turn the area into a world-class environment and change the physical outlook of the area, provide better road network and modern affordable houses for the people.
They welcomed the Commissioner for Urban Development and Physical Planning, Hon Chinyere Igwe’s disclosure that the state government was not interested in illegal or forceful acquisition of the waterfronts, but committed to the development of the areas by making them habitable.
He restated the government’s desire to provide all social amenities for the people living in those areas through a collaborative engagement with all stakeholders.
The landowners, therefore, expressed excitement that the government was not out to destroy but was working on realistic model that will make the people live well.
He regretted that although the structures do not have government approvals, the state government was still working with the residents and landowners to ensure better housing for all at the waterfronts.
The community leaders thanked Governor Nyesom Wike for the bold initiative of developing the state, and reconstructing the road network in Diobu, and commended the commissioner for working tirelessly to restore Port Harcourt to its Garden City status.
It would be recalled that the Rivers State Government recently ordered those living at the waterfronts to vacate, following intelligence reports that most of the armed robbery and kidnapping suspects live and carry out their activities in the areas.