Owner Of Demolished Hotel In Rivers Reacts, Says He Did Not Violate Any Law

Promise Gogorobari, owner of Prodest Hotel in Rivers State demolished by the state governor, Nyesom Wike for alleged violation of lockdown directive, has denied claims he flouted any coronavirus prevention orders.

Governor Wike, who had come under fire for carrying out such action, said his administration had no alternative but to apply the Executive order which he signed before the lockdown of Obio/Akpor and Port Harcourt.

“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 PDP, SDP or no party, you must obey the law. If any other person does the same thing, the same rule will apply,” he added.

But Gogorobari, the hotelier, denied violating any orders, stating that the government was supposed to do some investigations before doing that. “And if they found me wanting, then another procedure should be followed; not demolishing a structure like that,” he added.

In an interview with The Punch, he stated: “I am based in Lagos, but I am not in the right frame of mind to speak now. There is nobody who will not feel bad about this. It is a hotel that I built for the past seven years. The demolition of hotels is a setback to the state in terms of investment.

“That was an investment that was taking care of my family and relatives and people around me. There was no fair hearing before the demolition took place. With this, many people are out of jobs.

“I did not violate any order. The government was supposed to do some investigations before doing that. And if they found me wanting, then another procedure should be followed; not demolishing a structure like that.

“Definitely, this will affect investors. I invested in the business so that I can take some people off the street, but all government is doing is to demolishing it without a proper investigation.”

Recall that the Socio-Economic Right and Accoutability Project, SERAP threatened to take legal actions against the governor and his government to account for their illegal actions.

Meridian Spy reported yesterday, Sunday, Dakuku Peterside, the immediate past Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency NIMASA described Wike’s action as “wicked, insensitive, irresponsible and unlawful.”

“Governor Wike must change from this destructive path and follow that of responsible leadership that has a human face and not one that will turn him to a demi-god that must be offered sacrifices to assuage his anger, vengeance and greed,” he summed up.