Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has approved the conversion of the demolished Prodest Hotel site to a primary school.
Commissioner for Information and Communications, Paulinus Nsirim, said on Wednesday that the governor’s action was justified as he was combating the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) with the rule of law.
The state government said one of the members of its task force on COVID-19 who was attacked by hoodlums at the hotel in Port Harcourt had died.
Although he did not reveal the victim’s name, Mr Nsirim said he died from injuries sustained during the incident.
“The latest issue that has been hijacked by opposition elements is the demolition of two hotels in Eleme, after they deliberately flouted Executive Order 6,” he said.
“These two hotels, Prodest Hotel, Alode, Eleme and Etemeteh Hotel, Onne not only flouted the Executive Order, the hotel manager of Prodest invited the wanted PDP Eleme Youth Leader, Princewill Osaroejiji, who came with thugs to unleash mayhem on task force operatives on ground to close down the facility.
“As we speak, one of the task force operatives lost his life last night. Governor Wike and the Rivers State Security Council took the decision to demolish the hotel in the interest of Rivers State and her people. Days before that demolition, everyone was aware that the State Government sensitised the people on the consequence of flouting Executive Order 6.
“Having demolished that hotel, Governor Wike has approved that a primary school be constructed at that location to serve Rivers people. This is what a responsive government will do.
“The fight against coronavirus in the state has been premised on the Rule of Law. It was Governor Wike who first signed an Executive Order that led to Border Closure and other actions. This was done on March 19, 2020. After initial criticisms, other states followed suit.
“Therefore, the fight against coronavirus in Rivers State is in the interest of Rivers people and the entire Country. This is because Rivers State is vital to the survival of the nation as the headquarters of the hydrocarbon industry.”
The commissioner claimed that the chairman of Nigeria Hotels Owners Association Rivers State Chapter, Eugene Nwaizu, in a statement said the hotels were not registered with the body.
