No less than 50 people were left stranded following the commencement of demolition of shanties located at the Nkpogu area of Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State as many were seen with their properties packed in corners.
The government of Rivers State on Wednesday began the demolition of Nkpogu shanties as ordered by Governor Nyesom Wike, who said that he had received credible intelligence report that some criminal network involved in the counterfeiting of bottled water, carbonated soft drinks, and acholic beverages were operating in the area.
Governor Wike, while speaking during a visit to the area on Sunday, noted that the state government will acquire the land as he maintained that no responsible government will allow illicit production of counterfeit drinks to take place under its nose.
While condemning the environment littered with refuse, Wike noted that several unsuspecting persons have been afflicted with life-threatening diseases after purchasing fake products produced by the criminals operating in the area.
He further maintained that his administration will not relent in restoring the face of Port Harcourt as the Garden City as this will help reduce the level of crime in the state.
“I cannot believe that people can turn the whole Port Harcourt to a cabbage city instead of a Garden City. It is unacceptable to me. Like I have always said, no decision you take will be favourable to everybody. But, as far as we are concerned, one will take the right decision and the right thing must be done. We are going to clear all these shanties.
“Port Harcourt is known to be a Garden City, not a cabbage city and for anybody to tell me that I will be governor and see this kind of thing happen inside Port Harcourt metropolis, it’s unacceptable to me. Government is taking over this place.”
