Rivers govt to demolish shanties, others in Port Harcourt

The Rivers State government has issued a seven-day notice on the demolition of shanties and other illegal structures in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

The state’s Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Evans Bipi, gave the notice on Saturday shortly after an enforcement operation at the Trans-Amadi Industrial Area in Port Harcourt.

He expressed concern on the operations of scavengers at the Trans-Amadi industrial area who currently occupy large hectares of private lands for sorting and assemblage of solid waste.

The commissioner decried the proliferation of illegal dumpsites as well as shanties in business areas and advised occupants to vacate affected properties already marked for demolition.

Bipi said: “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.

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

READ ALSO: Rivers govt justifies demolition of Assembly complex

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

The Chairman, Special Committee on Development Control in the ministry, Mr. David Ogbanga, also assured of efforts toward sustainable urban development in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Ogbanga said: “Apart from defacing the city outlook, slums impede urbanization, and they constitute a breeding ground for miscreants as well as hideouts for criminals and perpetrators of all forms of social vices.

“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.”

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