Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike has ordered demolition of shanties where counterfeit table water, carbonated soft drinks and alcoholic beverages are produced at Nkpogu, Port Harcourt.
He said the Rivers State government would acquire the land, as the shanties were been used by criminals for nefarious activities.
The governor told journalists during a visit to Nkpogu on Sunday that he had received credible intelligence that some criminal network involved in counterfeiting of table water, among others were operating in the area.
The governor in a statement by his media aide, Kelvin Ebiri, asserted that “no government that is responsible and responsive, will allow illicit production of counterfeit bottled water and drinks to take place within its jurisdiction.”
Wike noted that many unsuspecting persons had been afflicted with deadly diseases after innocently purchasing fake products produced by the miscreants operating from the Nkpogu shanties.
He said, “If you look at the area where we are, it is criminal hideout and I will not waste demolish the shanties here. In fact, this will take place in the next two days.
“I cannot believe that people can turn Port Harcourt to a cabbage city instead of a Garden City. It is unacceptable to me. Like I have always said, no decision you take will be favourable to everybody. But as far as we are concern, one will take the right decision and the right thing must be done. We are going to clear all these shanties.”
“Port Harcourt is known to be a Garden City not a cabbage city and for anybody to tell me that I will be governor and see this kind of thing happen inside Port Harcourt metropolis, it is unacceptable to me. Government is taking over this place.”
He maintained that his administration would not relent in ridding the state of hideouts for criminals.
Wike, who had earlier inspected the ongoing work at both the Orochiri/Wurukwo and Nkpolu -Oroworukwo flyovers, explained that decision to make correction on the bridges was reached between the government and the contractors.