Building hosting African Independent Television, AIT and Raypower FM, a media outfit owned by Raymond Aleogho Dokpesi located at the Ozuoba area of Port Harcourt has been earmarked for demolition.
In a letter issued by Rivers State government on Tuesday 21st March, 2023 gave the media organisation to quit within 48 hours.
The structure was said to be an impediment to progress of projects going on in GRA Phase 5 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital.
The quit notice which was on the order of governor Nyesom Wike was signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Rivers Ministry of Works Government, Ebere Dennis Emenike.
The notice read: “Following the imminent commencement of GRA Phase 5 project the structures are impacting on the Right Of Way have been earmarked for demolition, including your own.
“Consequently, you are by this notice requested to remove Structures within 48 hours to allow for speedy progress of work”.
Reacting, the Nigeria Union of Journalists, was said to have appealed to the governor to drop its plan to demolish the structure housing facilities of the AIT/Raypower media outfit.
NUJ’s statement of intervention jointly signed by Stanley Job Stanley and Ike Wigodo, the chairman and secretary of respectively, noted that it was aware of the controversy between Rivers government and AIT/Raypower, but said, Rivers government should be consider and spare the facilities.
The Council urged the state government to open a negotiation channel with the media organisation for a peaceful resolution.
“We appeal to the Rivers State Government to review the quit notice given to Daar Communications Plc, owners of AIT and Raypower Radio Station.
“The Press and the Rivers State Government have come a long way as partners in progress. We believe that proper negotiation and peaceful resolution of the land dispute will serve the Government and people of Rivers State better.
“Whatever the merit of the quit notice by the Rivers State Government to Daar Communications Plc, we would not want the world to see the press in fight with the Rivers State Government in view of our long standing mutual relationship.
“NUJ will not be happy to see a Media House in Rivers State being demolished over a land dispute that can be resolved peacefully and amicably”, the statement said.
