Wike Set To Demolish AIT Building, In Portharcourt

By Ayodele Oni

Some see it as vindictive, but Rivers state government says it is part of ongoing development of Government Reserved Area, (GRA) as government marked for demolition the office of African Independent Television, (AIT) in Portharcourt.

Though both Governor Nyesome Wike and Raymond Dokpesi are members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), they belong to different factions within the party.

While Wike is leading a group of antagonists of defeated presidential candidate of PDP, Atiku Abubakar, Dokpesi remains one of his leading backers.

he Governor is reported to have at one time or the other complained about activities of the private television.

The Governor has ordered the demolition of buildings in GRA Phase 5 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, including that of Daar Communications, owners of AIT/Raypower television and radio stations.

This is as the governor issued a 48-hour quit notice to owners of the building already earmarked for a project in the state.

The building housing the facilities of the media outfit at the Ozuoba area of Port Harcourt is among the structures that may hinder the progress of the said project by Wike’s administration if not removed.

In that regard, the State Government issued an ultimatum in a quit notice signed by Permanent Secretary of the Rivers Ministry of Works, Ebere Dennis Emenike.

The notice dated Tuesday, March 21 read: “Following the imminent commencement of GRA Phase 5 project the structures are impacting on the Right Of Way have been earmarked for demolition, including your own.”

Stakeholders, including the Nigeria Union of Journalists, (NUJ) have appealed to the Governor to wave the demolition of the AIT building.