Urban Renewal: How Fubara’s interaction with “Port Harcourt Old boys” is poised to change Old City
By PHC Telegraph
Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has revealed that his interactions with “Port Harcourt Old Boys” over the redevelopment of the Old Port Harcourt Township might in the long run influence the future direction of his administration’s urban renewal policy.
The Governor who has promised to erect an ultra-modern trading facility in place of the old Creek Road Market said residents should be ready to witness changes in the Old Port Harcourt Township area.
“You are aware”, Fubara remarked, “that some weeks ago, a committee was inaugurated for the redevelopment of Port Harcourt Township.”
“Since then, I have been getting a lot of calls from old boys of Port Harcourt Township that, if we have to do anything, first of all, we need to sort out the issue of market”, he emphasized.
The Governor further said that as part of the urban renewal programme, the government would create a conducive environment that woild boost trading and give the city a new look.
According to him, the decision stems from the commitment of his government to achieve the wholesome implementation of the Urban Renewal Policy which puts the people first.
Speaking when he visited the Creek Road Market, the Governor said he came to see things for himself.
He explained that restoring Port Harcourt to its cherished Garden City status will require transforming its skyline and ensuring that its environment is sustainable and liveable.
But he noted that the transitional agenda conceived by the administration will not create the required aesthetics, if trading activities are not confined to designated areas.
Governor Fubara said: “You are aware that some weeks ago, a committee was inaugurated for the redevelopment of Port Harcourt Township.
“We need to sort out the issue of market”, the Governor stressed as he recalled how the traders were relocated to No 3 Field when Creek Road was reconstructed by the immediate past administration.
He however noted that after the reconstruction project was completed, no deliberate step was taken to return traders to their regular trading place,
“We are aware of that when Creek Road was reconstructed, the market was relocated to No 3 Field, and it affected the face of the Town.
“So, I came here myself with the Commissioner for Housing, Commissioner for Urban Development and Physical Planning, Chairman of the Committee for the Re-urbanization of Port Harcourt Township, and the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), to see for ourselves what we can do immediately.
“I can say here that the first thing we are going to do immediately before we start the cleaning and the redesigning of Port Harcourt Township, is to make sure that we give them (traders) a befitting market.
“With that, we can immediately move those people out of those residential areas so we can commence beautifying the town,” he added.