Shop owners count losses as Rivers demolish illegal structures

Scores of shop owners at the Trans-Amadi Industrial Area of Port Harcourt are counting their losses following the demolition of illegal structures by the Rivers State Government.

The state Commissioner for Urban Development and Physical Planning, Austin Ben-Chioma, said the action was to allow for large trucks to navigate properly on the roads.

Ben-Chioma explained that Trans-Amadi was one of the places in the metropolis that was well planned, adding that the government would ensure sanity in the area before moving to other places.

The commissioner stated, “The demolition of illegal structure will go on in Port Harcourt. For now, we are concentrating on Trans-Amadi. Trans-Amadi is called an industrial area and you see how wide the roads are; you can see the spaces.

“It is because when you hear an industrial area, it means large trucks can navigate properly so that there won’t be any problem.”

A lady, who seen removing her goods, said her rent was still running.

“We have been paying rent here to the indigenes. If you are in my shoes, how will you feel? Now, we are losing our customers. We are begging the government to find a place for us to stay and do our business,” she said.