Rivers to demolish illegal structures in Port Harcourt, issues notice to residents

The Rivers government has announced plans to commence demolition of illegal structures in Port Harcourt in the coming days.

Evans Bipi, commissioner for physical planning and urban development, spoke on Saturday after an enforcement operation at the Trans-Amadi industrial area in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

Bipi said seven days notice have been given to occupants to vacate the area, adding that scavengers’ operations pose environmental concerns.

The commissioner denounced illegal dumpsites and shanties in business areas, urging occupants to vacate marked properties slated for demolition immediately.

“Scavengers here are contributing to environmental hazards, their operation is highly unacceptable, this administration will no longer continue to allow them to deface our residential and industrial areas,” Bipi said.

“We have given occupants seven days to vacate affected properties as we shall commence waste clearing and demolition of shanties in the area.

“Property owners should refrain from leasing their properties to operators of unapproved and hazardous businesses or face the full weight of the law.”

On his part, David Ogbanga, chairman of the special committee on development control, pledged to promote sustainable urban development aligned with global best practices.

Ogbanga said that slums not only mar the city’s aesthetics but also hinder urban progress, harboring criminals and social deviants.

“We will put an end to this in the coming days, our enforcement team will begin demolition to restore serenity to our city as well as protect residents,” he added.