Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike said he doesn’t regret authorizing the demolition of a property belonging to the Bayelsa State Government in Port Harcourt, the state’s capital.
Wike said prior to the demolition of the property located along Akasa Street in the old government residential area of the state capital, he reached out to his Bayelsa counterpart, Douye Diri, urging him to renovate the dilapidated property because it defaced the area.
According to the Rivers governor, Diri promised to renovate the property within three months but reneged on the promise, prompting his administration to pull down the building.
“Go to Akasa Street, you can see what is going on there. If you are a serious government, you cannot allow that. We have no apology. As far as we are concerned the place has been brought down, we are building judges’ quarters there,” Wike told journalists on his arrival from Europe at the Port Harcourt International Airport on Thursday.
“You cannot have a property in this prime area and you don’t develop it, and then criminals use it to torment, terrorise and harass innocent people. And tomorrow you will tell me Rivers State is not safe.”
He berated the Diri-led Bayelsa government for claiming that the demolition was politically motivated because the state did not support his (Wike’s) presidential bid.
“I have never seen a government so hostile to Rivers State like Bayelsa State and let the truth be told. Every time politics will come in. Vendetta for what? Bayelsa has been the clog in the wheel of progress against Rivers State government.
“We had a joint property where Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) took over. NEW engineering works in Trans Amadi, AMCON took over the property and advertised for sale, Rivers State government, said look you can’t do it.
“We are ready to buy it. Bayelsa State knew about it. When the Rivers State government purchased it from AMCON, the Bayelsa State government went to court against the Rivers State government. So, it is unfortunate.”
During a press conference Wike Also said, “If you feel I have stepped on your toes, please don’t forgive me. If you want your own state to be flirty and filled with dirt all over, fine, but for me, I will not allow it in my state. And I will take more decisions until May 28, decisions that people will be shocked by, so don’t say, “Why is he rushing?” I’m still the governor of Rivers State, and I will utilize every power I have to do what I’m supposed to do.
He further stated that “See where we did Justice Mary Odili Judicial Institute; it used to be old airways near the high court. Criminals took over the place and said to the general, how can we allow this to be there?” And we acquired it under public policy, and today we are building the Justice Mary Odili Judicial Institute.
According to Wike, “I am not a leader who is afraid of taking decisions; if you feel I have stepped on your toes, please don’t forgive me. Because I have not stepped on anybody’s toe, I’m doing what is right. The problem we have is the courage to do the right thing. Everybody is afraid. I’m not going to be afraid, and I will do what I think is right no matter who is involved.
