Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has for the umpteenth time declared that the ongoing demolition of shanties in Port Harcourt metropolis was borne out of the compelling need to safeguard lives and properties in the State and had no ethnic or religious coloration.
In a statewide broadcast in Port Harcourt on Monday, Governor Wike said the objective of the exercise is to deny criminals of the use of as shanties as sanctuaries and hideouts, where they safely return to after carrying out their criminal activities.
He averred that government would not be blackmailed by those he described as unpatriotic elements, whom he alleged are trying to stir false ethnic, religious or tribal sentiments.
“Furthermore, we refuse to be intimidated by such baseless pranks. Rather, we will not rest until we clear the State of all shanties wherever they are located and restore sanity to our environment and achieve a better sense of comfort and security for everyone”, he said, even as he thanked all for the support, prayer and understanding, vowing that government would not relent in working to advance the collective security, peace and progress in the state.
