The Government of Rivers State has begun the demolition of a property owned by the Bayelsa State Government in the Old GRA, Port Harcourt even as the demolition squad had to restrict journalists from taking pictures and coming near the scene.
Africa Today News, New York reports that the twin structures of 12 flats occupying Plots 34 & 35 (No 5 Akassa Street) and Plot 37 (No 9 Akassa Street ) in the Golf Course Extension Layout, Port Harcourt, serve as the official residence for workers of the Bayelsa Liaison Office in Port Harcourt.
The demolition squad of the Rivers Government which moved into the property with armed security operatives Friday began pulling down the buildings, following the expiration of a 14-day eviction notice and intent to demolish on claims that they constitute a nuisance and unbefitting for the urban renewal focus of the government.
Pastor Isaac Board, one of the evicted occupants who had moved out the day before, lamented, ‘I have no place to stay as I speak to you. I and my family slept in the corridor of a friend’s place last night. We are workers with the Bayelsa State, so let the government come to our aide by giving us a place to stay.’
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The Administrator Officer at the Bayelsa Liaison office in Port Harcourt, Woseebimu Frank-Oputu said, ‘It was my pastor that came with a truck to carry my property. I and my family are putting up in the church.’
The vacation notice issued before the demolition read, ‘That in contravention of the covenants and conditions contained in the Certificate of Occupancy issued to Bayelsa State Government in respect of plots 34&35 (No 5 Akassa Stree and plot 37 (No 9 Akassa Street ) Golf Course Extension Layout, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, notice is hereby given by the Rivers State Government that the occupants of the said property should vacate.
‘Take notice that the occupants of the above mentioned properties are hereby given 14 days from the date of this notice to vacate buildings thereon.
‘As the said buildings are not only constituting public nuisance, but also defacing the Rivers State Government’s Urban Renewal Infrastructural Development policies as relates to the Golf Course Old GRA Layout.’
Africa Today News, New York reports that Bayelsa was created out of Rivers State by late Military Head of State, Sani Abacha, on the 1st of October 1996.