Construction work has begun in earnest on the land belonging to Bayelsa State government but demolished by Rivers State government.
Yet, Governor Nyesom Wike says those who think Rivers State government is now at war with the Bayelsa State government should have another thought coming.
Rather, Wike has pointed to the good deeds he did to Bayelsa. He named how he built a N5.3bn-law campus in Bayelsa, donated N500m to their medical school, plus more.
Wike has thus felt no qualms flagging off construction of seven units of five-bedroom buildings for judges of Rivers State judiciary. He says nothing has strained the relationship between Rivers and Bayelsa States.
The residential quarters are sited on the land where the Rivers State government recently demolished defaced property owned by the Bayelsa State government on Akasa Street in Old GRA, Port Harcourt.
Performing the flag-off on Monday, Governor Wike explained that with the dilapidated property owned by the Bayelsa State government demolished, his administration considered it appropriate to develop on it residential quarters for judges.
“This place used to be Bayelsa State government property when it was created out of Rivers State,” he said.
Wike recalled his previous steps to resolve the land matter amicably, to no avail. “Even when we attended our governors meeting, I called his attention to it, saying there is no way we can allow this kind of property to be here.
“It is either you renovate it, which will not cost more than two or three hundred million or you sell it to the Rivers State government to be able to rebuild the place, so that we know those who are staying here. In 2022, I reminded him again.”
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Wike said it became impossible to allow the dilapidated property to remain, so it was destroyed to ensure that the intended clean and safe environment was achieved.
The governor pointed out: “And to tell Bayélsa people, I have nothing against Bayelsa State or Bayelsa people. But every government must be serious and show leadership.”
Wike emphasised that it was because of the existing cordial relationship that his administration embarked on building hostels and auditorium at the Yenagoa campus of the Nigerian Law School.
“Nobody forced me to go and intervene when I intervened in the law school (in Yenagoa). I spent not less than N5.3B. If we had anything against Bayelsa State, we would not have even tried to help in rebuilding the law school.
“When Bayelsa State government was inaugurating their Medical University, Rivers State government was invited, on that Saturday, I was there and Rivers State government donated N500m.
“And on Monday the Bayelsa State government acknowledged receipt of the money. We are playing brotherly and sisterly role which is what it is supposed to be.”
