THE Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has again said there is no cause for alarm regarding concerns raised by those it believes are out to unjustly tarnish the hard-earned reputation of Governor Nyesom Wike, vis-à-vis his action in revoking the C of O of Novotel hotel in Port Harcourt recently.

The party outrightly disagreed with the claim of the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state that the Governor by his action on Novotel, is ‘de-marketing’ Rivers, explaining that no sensible and responsible government or head of government will sit and watch anyone or institution engage in acts or be used in perpetrating acts that threaten the prevailing peace and security in its domain.

The PDP further explained that what all genuine investors and business entrepreneurs desire is a peaceful and conducive environment to operate, “which His Excellency, the Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has achieved and is being sustained in the state,” adding that “allowing any person or group of persons, including someone that ought to carryout legally approved business activities, conduct himself or itself in a manner capable of throwing the State into chaos, is absolutely unacceptable.”

According to the PDP State Chairman, Felix Obuah, all those carrying out genuine businesses in the state must do so according to the law, and must resist the attempt by politicians or any individual in the state to use them or their business premises to perpetrate their evil deeds and action that breach the peace of the state.

“We stand by the decision and action of the Governor, convinced that what took place that Saturday, during the APC factional congress and what happened there during the re-run legislative elections in the state on December 10, 2016, are what actually would drive investors away, not the revocation of C of O of a business operator that allowed its premises to be used as a den for illegalities, which also constitute a threat to other business operators in the state and potential ones,” Obuah stressed.

It is on this premise that the PDP flayed the position party, describing it as short-sighted and ignorant of the principles of business development and good governance.

The PDP, with reference to a statement credited to the immediate past Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mr. Austin Tam George on the matter, in which (George) described the Governor’s action as ‘unjustifiable’ and ‘irresponsible’, noted that it is quite unfortunate that the former Commissioner could not hide his quest for wealth, position he is seeking in the APC and mission to blackmail his former principal.

The PDP chairman described George’s statement as, “coming from a treacherous man, an ingrate and double-crosser, who cannot be trusted even by his new found love, the APC.”

Obuah reaffirmed confidence in the action of Governor Wike, regarding the revocation of C of O of the hotel, and other actions the Governor has so far taken in the spirit of moving the state forward, sustaining the peace and security of lives and property of both residents and all those doing business in the state.

The PDP chairman also claimed that “Governor Wike is not power-drunk and does not act like his predecessor, Chibuike Amaechi, who found it all joy, revoking C of O of buildings, businesses and companies operating in the state while in office as governor, just because owners of such properties opposed his administration.” 

He appealed to all genuine business operators in Rivers State not to be apprehensive over “the inciting claims and ill-conceived utterances of the APC, and to disregard George’s comment,” but to continue to go about their lawful business and services in the state. – News Express

– Aug 7, 2017@ 6:03 GMT /