The Bayelsa State Government has reacted to the demolition of its property in Port Harcourt by the Government of Rivers State.
Recall that Rivers State governemnt had began demolising buildings belonging to the latter, following an eviction notice which was signed by River State Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Lands and Survey, Alozie Nwala, and issued on April 19, 2023.
In the notice served to the occupants of the Bayelsa buildings, the Rivers government had claimed that the structures were “constituting public nuisance and defacing the state government’s Urban Renewal Infrastructural Development Policies.”
According to the notice, “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 Street) 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 related to the golf course, Old GRA Layout.
“Take further notice that at expiration of this notice, Rivers State Government will take possession of the properties.”
But reacting to the development during an interview on Arise TV on Monday, the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Lands, Housing, and Urban Development, Esau Andrew, said it will take the Rivers State Government to court to reclaim its properties.
Andrew noted that the reasons given by the Rivers State Government for the demolition were flimsy, adding that the Rivers State government flouted a Supreme Court order by going ahead with the demolition of its properties in Port Harcourt.
