RSG Poised To Rid Waterfronts Of Criminal Dens

The ongoing demolition of shanties will rid the city of criminals, the River State Government has said.
Commissioner for Information and Communications, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim, who explained the action recently, said the action is to restore sanity and peace and to improve the aesthetics of Port Harcourt Metropolis.
The Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, had during the New Year address to the state residents announced plans to clear the areas stretching from Diobu to old Port Harcourt Township
About 10 waterfront settlements in Diobu axis have already been demolished, awaiting a new urban developmental plan by government.
The areas where the demolition took place are Abba, Elechi, Nanka, Uruala, Afikpo, Ojike, Akuzu, Egede and Soku Streets in the Diobu area of the Port Harcourt City Local Government Area.
The state government had notified residents of the waterfront settlements of its plans to demolish the houses over alleged sale of illegally refined petroleum products in the area.
Nsirim, in a statement last Tuesday, said the state government was amazed by the “mischief, illogical and unsubstantiated attention-seeking allegations” from opposition and critics.
He stressed that by removing all shanties and most especially criminal dens have been successful as undesirable elements who have transformed these waterfronts into a den of thieves, flies in the face of rational analysis, especially by those who do not mean well for the state.
He reminded those criticising government’s decision not to feign ignorance of the fact that the demolition of waterfronts to rid Rivers State of criminals did not start with Governor Nyesom Wike’s administration, as he recalled that the APC government under former Governor Chibuike Amaechi not only demolished Abonnema Water- front, but also Njemanze, Elechi Beach and Nanka waterfronts.

By: Kevin Nengia