Amaechi Vows To Demolish Port Harcourt Waterfronts

Despite the criticism by Amnesty International over the previous demolitions of Waterfronts, Governor Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State, southsouth Nigeria, has vowed that his government will go ahead with  the planned  demolition of the Waterfronts within the suburbs of
Port Harcourt.

Amaechi who is calling the bluff of Amnesty International,  challenged Lucy Freeman, the Researcher with Amnesty International on Nigeria to come and live in any of the Waterfronts for three months to experience the prevailing  deplorable conditions the inhabitants live in.   

Amaechi disclosed this while answering questions during an interactive session with the media in Government House, Port Harcourt, today.

The Governor explained that as the Chief Security Officer of the state, he has received  evidence that 80 percent of the criminals in the state capital live in the Waterfronts.
He explained that even before the demolition, the residents of the Waterfronts should appreciate  that they are illegal occupants of government land.

Despite that, however, the governor said that prior to the planned demolition, the state government was prepared to pay commercial rates as compensation to property owners in the affected slums.

By Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt