Date Published: 11/14/09

Landlords dare Amaechi in Port Harcourt, re-build structures

SOME landlords in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, whose property were affected by the Urban Renewal programme of the Chibuike Amaechi administration, appears to be bracing for a fight-to-finish with their governor.

Government report says the obviously daring landlords have started to re-build their structures that were torn by the bulldozers ''removing illegal structures'' in the capital city.

City watchers say the landlords who are bracing for a showdown with government are in the Ikwerre axis of the city. Governor Amaechi is an Ikwerre from Ubima in Ikwerre Local Government Area of the state.

Apparently disturbed by the report, the governor on Friday, undertook an inspection visit to the affected area to see things for himself.

Irked, he ordered that structures affected by the demolition exercise along Elekahia Road, in the capital city should not be rebuilt without permission from the Ministry of Urban Development.

He gave the directive during what his Acting Chief Press Secretary, Blessing Wikina, described as ''an unscheduled inspection tour'' of ongoing projects in Port Harcourt. The governor said the order became necessary as property owners have started ''indiscriminate reconstruction work'' on the affected buildings.

Amaechi said some of the affected structures that were almost cut into half, are being rebuilt without recourse to the approved plan and standard, and directed the Commissioner for Urban Development to ensure total removal of such buildings which are now illegal structures.

He explained that the exercise was to pave way for the dualisation of the Elehahia road, which serves as a major artery linking Aba Road with Trans-Amadi Road axis.

The Governor who was accompanied on the inspection tour by the Minister of Power, Dr. Lanre Babalola, and Senator John Mbata inspected on going work on the Trans Amadi Gas Plant, the Trans- Amadi-Oginiggba-Rumuobiakani Road, and the Rainbow Town Housing Estate as well.