Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has carried out his threat to demolish Prodest Home Hotel, Alode, Eleme for violating orders directing all hotels in the state to suspend services immediately as parts of measures to check the spread of COVID-19.
The governor had marked Prodest Hotel, Alode, Eleme and Etemeteh Hotel, Onne for demolition for allegedly flouting government’s directive.
Gov Wike had warned residents that failure to comply with the order would attract stiff penalties.
Around 11:30 am today, a demolition truck arrived at the location of Prodest Hotel accompanied by Governor Wike and other officials of the Rivers State task force, and the building was pulled down.
Reactions have, however, started trailing the demolition as many resident felt the Governor is overstepping his boundaries.
Gov Wike told newsmen at the demolition scene that the law must be obeyed, hence the State Government’s decision to enforce it, saying that his action was in line with the Rivers State Government Executive Order 6, which banned the operation of hotels across the 23 Local Government Areas of the State.
According to him; “Government has no alternative but to apply the Executive order which I signed before the lockdown of Obio/Akpor and Port Harcourt. I called all the Traditional Rulers and Council Chairmen and told them to ensure that no hotel operates in the State.
“We are not saying it will be forever. This is for now so that we know where we are. To reduce the cases and check the spread.
“Whether you are PDP or not, all we are saying is that nobody is above the law. If we can do this to a PDP person, then you know we are not discriminatory. Everyone must obey. Whether you are in the PDP, SDP or no party, you must obey the law. If any other person does the same thing, the same rule will apply.
“We said no hotel should operate within this period. Unfortunately, the PDP Youth Leader in Eleme joined others to flout the Executive Order. Therefore, the executive order will be applied.
“We said if any hotel operates, the government will bring down that hotel. We are doing what we have told people that we are going to do.
“Nobody wants to obey any rules. We are saying just for now, keep off, let us see how we can keep our people safe.
“Look at the rate of infections, most of these people are found in hotels. Look at the man that died, he was at Mingi Hotel in Rumumasi. Due to that contact, we have had other seven cases.
“People should help us and support the Government for Rivers people to be safe. The Security Council will meet to review the strategies and achievements or setbacks, moving forward.
“All we are doing is to protect our people. Some people may not like our strategies, but our objective is to achieve results”, he said.
