Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike has said that he owes no apology to the government of Bayelsa State over the demolition of two of its property situated in Rivers State.
The governor said contrary to opinions from different quaters, his intention is not based on political reasons.
Recall that the Bayelsa State Government through its Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Andrew Esua, had expressed displeasure about the action of the Rivers State Government.
However, speaking at the International wing of the Port Harcourt International Airport on Thursday, Wike said the demolition of the Bayelsa State propertYis not the first to be carried out by his administration as part of his urban renewal plan.
He stated that the Rivers State Government has previously demolished properties belonging to other states, including the Edo State Government after due consultation with the governor at the time, Adams Oshiomhole.
He listed persons and corporations that have been affected by his urban renewal policy to include Mr. Mike Adenuga, the Nigeria Railway Corporation and the Nigeria Airways.
Wike, who maintained that no one can decide for the government how to plan the development of Rivers State, noted that the state government plans to use the demolished sites to build more quarters for judges in the state.
The governor blamed the demolition of the buildings on Governor Douye Diri whom he said failed many times to keep to his promise of renovating the properties.
He said apart from writing to the Rivers state Government to beg for time which he never honoured, Governor Diri also failed to honour the promises he made to him personally and at other time before Governors Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State.
Wike said the Rivers State Government carried out the action when what was supposed to have taken the Bayelsa State Government a few months to handle lasted for about 20 months with no solution in sight.
He further accused Bayelsa State of being hostile to Rivers State following its attitude in other instances where both states jointly owned properties.
