Two hotels were on Sunday demolished by the Rivers State government for allegedly flouting lockdown order.
The affected hotels are
Prodest Hotel, Eleme, and Etemeteh Hotel, Onne.
The hospitality facilities were pulled down on the orders of the state government.
Nyesom Wike, the governor, had imposed a lockdown and directed all hotels in the state to suspend services immediately as parts of measures to check the spread of COVID-19.
The governor had warned residents that failure to comply with the order would attract stiff penalties.
On Sunday afternoon, Wike was said to have personally supervised the demolition of the hotel in Eleme while other government officials headed to Onne.
A few days back, he directed security operatives to transfer some persons to isolation centres in the state. They were found on the streets when they were not on essential duty.
He also ordered the seizure of some trucks which defied the lockdown directive by conveying livestock into the state.
The governor asked that the trucks and the cattle seized be auctioned.
Meanwhile Nigerians have expressed anger over the demolition of the hotels.
They described Wike’s action as brazen display of lawlessness and dictatorship.
Nigerians on twitter expressed outrage over Wike’s action, saying that the governor was simply power-drunk.
A twitter user by the name, Ochi Damian Ike, said “Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Wike is a tyrant. I hope he will be brought to book. No where in the western world did we see such extreme penalty for flouting lockdown order. Even in African countries. In this time of hunger.”
Another user, Chinda Peculiar, said “I condemn in strong terms the demolition of the hotels by Wike. Where does he derive such powers from? Impose a fine or confiscate the hotel but not demolish it. Nyesom Wike please listen to the voice of reason now before it plays out of hand.”
According to Theresa Tekenah, “The decision to demolish hotels in Rivers state over violation of the COVID-19 lockdown order is extreme and illegal. Gov Wike, this isn’t leadership.”
