The Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike has issued a 48-hour quit notice to owners of buildings in GRA Phase 5 in Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State, including Daar Communications, which owns AIT/Raypower television and radio stations.
This came following the governor’s order to demolish the building which had been earmarked for a state project.
In a quit notice dated Tuesday, March 21, and signed by the permanent secretary of the state ministry of works, Ebere Dennis Emenike, the concerned were given 48 hours to yield to the notice.
The notice read: “Following the imminent commencement of GRA Phase 5 project the structures impacting the Right Of Way have been earmarked for demolition, including your own.
“Consequently, you are by this notice requested to remove Structures within 48 hours to allow for speedy progress of work”.
While reacting to the development, Rivers State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has appealed to the Governor not to spare the facilities of the media outfit.
In a press statement jointly signed by the state chairman of NUJ, Stanley Job Stanley and secretary, Ike Wigodo, the union appealed to the Rivers State Government to review the quit notice given to Daar Communications Plc, owners of AIT and Raypower Radio Station.
“The Press and the Rivers State Government have come a long way as partners in progress. We believe that proper negotiation and peaceful resolution of the land dispute will serve the Government and people of Rivers State better.
“Whatever the merit of the quit notice by the Rivers State Government to Daar Communications Plc, we would not want the world to see the press in a fight with the Rivers State Government in view of our long-standing mutual relationship.
“NUJ will not be happy to see a Media House in Rivers State being demolished over a land dispute that can be resolved peacefully and amicably.” The union state.
