The Rivers State Government, on Saturday, began its planned demolition of makeshift structures in the Diobu area of Port Harcourt.
The affected waterfronts areas include Elechi I, Elechi II, Nanka, Abba, Urualla, Egede and Soku, all located off Iloabuchi Street in Diobu area.
Governor Nyesom Wike had in a statewide broadcast said his government would embark on the demolition of all shanties and makeshift structures in identified criminal hotspots in Port Harcourt from the second week of January.
According to the governor, the demolition aims to keep the State peaceful and safe.
With the demolition in place, over 40,000 residents in the area are likely to be homeless, as no prior provisions seem not to have been prepared for the development.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Rivers State Civil Society Organizations, Enefaa Georgewill, has reacted to Saturday’s demolition of the Elechi Waterfront in Diobu.
Georgewill, in a statement, said the government did not follow due process in the demolition of the structures.
He noted that criminality would increase in the State due to untold hardship as thousands of persons, including men, women, youths and children have been rendered homeless with the act.
According to him, the main essence of government is to serve the people by improving their lives and not punishing them.
