- Rivers State Government demolished the DAAR transmitter complex because DAAR Communications failed to develop the land allocated for over two decades
- The government clarified that DAAR Communications lacked documentation for land ownership, allocating the land to Rivers indigenes for development
The Rivers State Government claims it demolished the DAAR transmitter complex in Port Harcourt because the organization refused to develop the property after it had been assigned to the company for two decades.
Dr. George-Kelly D. Alabo, Rivers State Commissioner for Works, explained in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Wednesday that the transmitter complex of DAAR Communications, operators of Africa Independent Television (AIT) and Raypower FM, was demolished because DAAR Communications failed to develop the land more than two decades after it was allocated by the Rivers State Government.
He also stated that DAAR Communications lacks any documentation to lay claim to the land, which includes some of the facilities used by AIT and Raypower FM.
Originally the structure they were using and the mast they claimed to own do not belong to them. Ab initio, part of those structures belong to Radio Nigeria, they ceded that place to Rivers State Government.
“DAAR Communications does not have any documentation proving ownership of the land or facilities.” “We’re talking about more than 400 plots of land here,” he added.
Dr. George-Kelly revealed that the plots of land have been allocated to Rivers indigenes and that the state government has begun building a network of roads and drains on the vast land.
Now we have fenced out the undeveloped portion of the land, as I speak to you, all of those plots have been allocated to Rivers indigenes for immediate development.
A network of roads and drains is being done so that it will become a kind of estate for Rivers people. The state government wants that place to be GRA Phase V, he stated.
The Works Commissioner refuted the insinuation that the state government’s action is connected with the political feud between the former governor of Rivers State, Barr: Nyesom Wike and the late founder of Daar Group, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi.
That is totally fictitious and irresponsible, maliciously woven to tarnish the image of the immediate past governor of Rivers State.
The former governor of the state took this decision solely for the interest of Rivers State and not for any political vendetta. The interest of one business man cannot override the interest of millions of Rivers people, the Commissioner added.
The state government on Monday pulled down the transmitter complex of the broadcast station an action condemned by Nigerians and the Broadcasting Organization of Nigeria (BON).