A Port Harcourt-based
Estate Developer, Mr. Cletus Micah has described the conversion of residential premises to business centres as a serious problem.
Micah who spoke to our correspondent in Port Harcourt at the weekend said such arrangements if allowed to continue would lead to a major societal problem.
According to him, the government should be able to make people know the difference between residential and business premises.
Micah while throwing more light on the matter said the trend could not be unconnected with the zeal of people to counter the effect of the economic hardship in the country.
He said that notwithstanding, the government should intervene to check further spread of the menace even as he said many people have already converted their private premises into business mull.
On the negative effect of the situation  on the society, the estate developer explained that it would hamper security operations.
According to him, while tenants in a given residential apartment know themselves, the reverse was the case in a business place.
He said the influx of different people at a business place that also serves as a residential quarters posses security risks to tenants.
This he further explained could be made possible for dubious elements in the society to spy on tenants with intent to commit mischief.
However, Micah expressed the hope that the Rivers State government’s Greater Port Harcourt Development Authority would take into consideration the issue of properly separating business and residential areas in their new city plan.
He also called on the government to check the excesses of some business operators who are not observing the laws on noise pollution in the state.