“I owe no one any apology” Wike says as he give reason for demolishing Bayelsa Govt Property in Rivers

Demolition of Bayelsa property not political – Wike

 

The governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, has refuted claims that the destruction of dilapidated Bayelsa state government property in Port Harcourt was politically motivated.

 

However, the governor has blamed Bayelsa State’s leadership failure for the Rivers State government’s eventual demolition of the abandoned property on Akasa Street in the Old Government Residential Area of Port Harcourt.

 

Governor Wike briefed journalists on his arrival from Europe at the Port Harcourt International Airport on Thursday.

 

Read Also: Wike goes on rampage, dimolishes Bayelsa State Govt buildings in Rivers

 

He explained that in accordance with the Rivers State government’s urban renewal programme, a formal letter was sent to the Bayelsa State government in August 2021 regarding the Old Rivers State’s dilapidated property in Port Harcourt.

 

He stated, “It is most unfortunate that this is the result of leadership failure.” I have never seen a government as hostile to Rivers State as the Bayelsa State government. Extremely unfortunate. During my absence, I read in the media the rantings of the Bayelsa State government’s Lands Commissioner.

 

“In August 2021, we wrote to the Bayelsa State government that, given our urban renewal policy and the amount of money we’ve spent, it would be unjust to allow their property to remain there without a possible new development.”

 

Governor Wike stated that he had met with his Bayelsa State counterpart, Governor Douye Diri, on multiple occasions and urged him to renovate or construct a beneficial structure on the parcel of land because the existing structure was in violation of the Rivers State urban renewal policy.

 

“I had multiple conversations with my colleague, the governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri. I suggested that you renovate, demolish, or construct something new for your state. I am not claiming ownership of the property, but we have the right to discuss development in our state. No state has the authority to determine the level of development in another state.

 

“Therefore, in August of 2021, I not only wrote him a letter, but also told him in all of our meetings that if he could not develop the property, he could sell it back to the Rivers State government, which is willing to develop it, but cannot allow it to remain in its current state.”

 

He stated that Governor Diri had acknowledged that the property’s dilapidated condition was unacceptable. And based on this, even in the presence of the governors of the states of Oyo and Adamawa, governor Diri assured him that the Bayelsa State government would rebuild the property, but to no avail.

 

“Ask the governors of Oyo and Adamawa, we are colleagues. He (Diri) assured me that everything will be completed within the next three months. As a colleague, I believed he would not deceive me because he had good intentions for my state.

 

 

“I’ve told everyone who cares that the failure of this country is the leadership’s inability to make decisions. During one of my routine inspections, I visited the property and observed it. In fact, as we speak, no self-respecting individual will permit such a structure to exist.”

 

Governor Wike related that even after the Rivers State government sent a reminder letter to the Bayelsa State government, the latter failed to act, leaving the Rivers State government with no choice but to demolish the property.

 

“If you do not develop your property in this prime location, criminals will use it to torment, terrorise, and harass innocent people. Tomorrow, you will inform me that Rivers State is not secure.

 

“Go to Akasa Street to see what’s happening there.” If your government is serious, you cannot permit this. We offer no apologies. As far as we’re concerned, the structure has been demolished, and we’re constructing judge housing there.”

 

The governor of Rivers State stated that the Bayelsa State government’s claim that the destruction of its property was motivated by politics was dishonest because the state did not support his presidential campaign.

 

He questioned why the Bayelsa State government has always been hostile towards anything pertaining to the Rivers State.

 

“I’ve never seen a government so hostile to Rivers State as that of Bayelsa State, to tell the truth. Every time politics will enter the picture. Whose vendetta is it? Bayelsa has been an impediment to the progress of the Rivers State government.

 

“The Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) took over a property we owned jointly. NEW engineering works in Trans Amadi, AMCON seized the property and advertised it for sale, and the Rivers State government said, “Look, you can’t do that.”

 

Also Read: Breaking: Court Orders Immediate Arrest Of Rotimi Amaechi

 

“We’re ready to purchase it. Bayelsa State was aware of it. Bayelsa State government sued Rivers State government after Rivers State government purchased the land from AMCON. Thus, it is regrettable.”

 

Governor Wike stated that the rantings of the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Lands, who claimed that the destruction of his State property in Port Harcourt by the Rivers State government reeks of political vendetta, were rather absurd.

 

According to him, Rivers State had previously seized abandoned property belonging to the Edo State government, Nigeria Railway Corporation, and defunct Nigeria Airways, but the affected parties never accused it of political vendetta.

 

Thanks for using our platform to learn about the latest Naija News on Demolition of Bayelsa property not political – Wike