By Chukwuma Umeorah
Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) has appealed to Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, to halt the proposed demolition of a Daar Communications Plc. complex in Port-Harcourt.
In a letter by its Chairman, John Ugbe, BON appealed to the governor to use his executive power to avert the proposed demolition of the facility by the ministry of works in the state.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Ebere Dennis-Emenike, had, on issued warning to Daar Communication, owners of AIT and Raypower Radio, to vacate the land, housing its Port Harcourt transmission station or have it demolished within 48 hours.
The notice contained in a letter, dated March 20, 2023, entitled: “Proposed GRA Phase 5, Ozuoba, Port Harcourt demolition notice,” stated that the facility was sitting on the right of way of its proposed housing project in the state.
While seeking the urgent intervention of the governor, BON, in its letter, also appealed that the Rule of Law be allowed to take its course as the dispute of the land was already a litigation matter before the court.
“We are appealing to your excellency to allow justice to follow its natural course and due process as the dispute of the land is already a litigation matter before a court of competent jurisdiction,” it said.
BON further asked the governor to consent to an out of court settlement for the parties concerned.
“Our third appeal is that your excellency consent an out of court settlement of this matter as a media friendly governor,” it said.
BON expressed optimism that Wike, in his understanding, would use his capacity as governor to speedily intervene by issuing a stay of demolition order while they explored other amicable ways of resolving the issue at stake.