Crisis is brewing between Rivers and Bayelsa states over proposed demolition of two buildings owned by Bayelsa in Port Harcourt. This is as an eviction order has been served on workers occupying the buildings along Akassa Street in Old GRA, Port Harcourt.
The Guardian learned that the occupants, who confirmed that the flats located on No. 5 and No 9 Akassa Street in Old GRA Port Harcourt are owned by Bayelsa, claimed the buildings were duly allocated to them.
The occupants lamented that they were being forcibly evicted from the properties by Rivers State. The tenants in the buildings consisting of 12 flats said they had lived there with their families for many years without any problem, noting that they were surprised at the 14-day eviction notice, which they said had expired.
They confirmed that a team of policemen and officials of the Rivers State Government visited the place on Wednesday morning following a plan to demolish the properties.
They were seen making frantic arrangements to vacate the place to avoid losing their valuables during the planned demolition. One of the occupants and Head of Protocol for the Bayelsa State Government in Port Harcourt, Smith Noah, said the notice accused them of defacing the face of the environment.
Another occupant, Bridget Allison, who said she had lived there for 11 years wondered why a state government would be acting in such a way towards another state government.
A notice signed by the Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Land and Survey, Sir Alozie Nwala, and dated April 19, reads: “That in contravention of the covenants and conditions contained in the Certificate of Occupancy issued to Bayelsa State Government in respect of Plots 34 and 35, notice is hereby given by the Rivers State Government that the occupants of the said property should vacate.
“Take notice that the occupants of the above mentioned properties are hereby given 14 days from the date of this notice to vacate buildings thereon.
“Take further notice that at expiration of this notice, Rivers State Government will take possession of the properties.”
