Wike’s Action On Novotel, No Threat To Economy -PDP

The Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has again said there was no cause for alarm; regarding concerns raised over Governor Nyesom Wike’s action on the revocation of the Certificate of Occupancy of Novotel Hotel in Port Harcourt, last Monday.
The PDP state Chairman, Bro. Felix Obuah, in a statement signed on his behalf by Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Jerry Needam, said that the governor’s action was not any threat to the state’s economy.
The party disagreed with the claim of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), that the governor, by his action was ‘de-marketing’ Rivers State, explaining that no sensible and responsible government will sit and watch anyone or institution engage in acts or be used in perpetrating acts that threaten the prevailing peace and security in its domain without taking any punitive measures.
The PDP further explained that what all genuine investors and business entrepreneurs desire was a peaceful and conducive environment to operate, which the governor has achieved in the state, adding that allowing any person or group of persons, including corporate organisations, conduct themselves in a manner capable of throwing the state into chaos, was unacceptable.
According to Obuah, “All those carrying out genuine business in the state must do so according to the law, and must resist the attempt by politicians or any individual to use them or their business premises to perpetrate evil deeds and actions that breach the peace of the state.
“We stand by the decision and action of the Governor (Wike), convinced that what took place that fateful Saturday, during the APC fictional congress and what happened there during the re-run legislative elections in the state on December 10, 2016, are what actually would drive investors away, not the revocation of C of O of a business operator that allowed its premises to be used as a den for illegalities, which also constitutes a threat to other business operators in the state and potential ones,” Obuah stressed.
The party therefore, flayed the position of the APC and its collaborators on this issue, describing the party as short-sighted and ignorant of the principles of business development and good governance.
The PDP also described as unfortunate remarks credited to the immediate past Commissioner for Information and Communications, Dr. Austin Tam-George, on the matter, in which he described the governor’s action as ‘unjustifiable’ and ‘irresponsible’.
The party regretted that the former commissioner could not hide his quest for wealth, position he is seeking in the APC and mission to blackmail his former principal.
The PDP observed that dealing with a chameleonic man, like Austin Tam-George, who was unstable and speaks from both sides of his mouth, was a heinous task, and therefore called for caution.
The PDP chairman described Tam-George as a treacherous ingrate and double-crosser, who could not be trusted even by his new found bedfellows in APC, wondering how cheap and disappointing his action has presented him in the eyes of the public.
Obuah reaffirmed confidence in the action of the governor on the revocation of C of O of the hotel, and other actions the governor has so far taken in efforts to move the state forward.
The PDP chairman explained that the governor was not power-drunk and does not act like his predecessor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, appealing to all genuine business operators in Rivers State not to be apprehensive over the inciting claims and ill-conceived utterances of the All Progressives Congress and its agents and cohorts.
It further advised them to continue to go about their lawful businesses in the state, assuring them of adequate security and conducive environment.