The Abia State Government has denied allegations of storming the premises of Enyimba TV and Radio Ltd and harassing workers and journalists with security operatives.
In a statement released by Ferdinand Ekeoma, Special Adviser to the Governor (Media and Publicity), the government described the allegations as “a dubious misrepresentation to hoodwink the public and curry undeserved sympathy”.
According to the government, the controversy surrounds an ongoing 3-storey building project on the premises of Enyimba Radio, which is alleged to be in violation of development control laws. The Aba North Planning Authority (ABNPA) has reportedly served the developers several notices to comply with relevant laws, but they have failed to do so.
The government stated that the site was sealed on multiple occasions, but the developers removed the seals and continued work, leading to the arrest of some artisans. The government has denied any wrongdoing against Enyimba FM and its staff, emphasizing that it has no interest in gagging the press.
The statement reads in part:
The attention of Abia State government has been drawn to a false alarm raised by the management of Enyimba Radio Fm Aba, alleging that “Abia government stormed their premises and harassed workers and journalists with security agents”.
It’s important to swiftly and emphatically state that the allegation, to say the least, is a dubious misrepresentation to hoodwink the public and curry undeserved sympathy in the face of audacious lawlessness by the developers of the property.
The facts are as follows:
1. There’s an ongoing 3-storey building project which is said to be a hotel presently being developed at the same premises where Enyimba Radio is located. Aba North Planning Authority (ABNPA) in carrying out its routine development control activities has severally served the developers all the legal notices requesting they comply with relevant development control laws.
2. The developers promised to tender documents to certify compliance of laid down protocols to no avail. They, instead, continued with the building project.
3. On three occasions, the site was sealed as required by Law by ABNPA and the developers, unlawfully, went ahead to remove government seals and continued their work, an offense punishable by law.
4. Just last week, the site was again sealed and some artisans on the site arrested and taken to police. The police subsequently warned them and released them.
5. Earlier today, ABNPA discovered that the developers had again illegally removed government seal and gone back to site without approval. The site was again sealed and work was stopped.
6. The questions to ask the developers are as follows:
A. Why were they not able to produce required documents to show compliance with development control requirements?
B. Why are they developing a commercial building with 4 floors in a residential neighborhood within the Aba GRA?
C. Why did they chose to lie to the public about the facts of development control activities going on in their premises?
D. Why were their neighbors jubilant and happy that development control activities are bringing sanity to Aba GRA?
7. Like every other media outfit, Abia State government has no problem with Enyimba Fm Aba, and did absolutely nothing wrong against the management or staff of the radio station. The attempt to use the media outfit to cover acts of illegality and irresponsibility is dead on arrival as Abia State government shall continue to insist that the laws guiding development of building projects, especially at Government Reserved Areas, are respected at all times and by all, no matter how highly placed.
8. Abia State government wishes to caution the management of Enyimba FM, to distance the media outfit from the petty politics and realise that media practice is for professionals and decent minds, and not for desperate politicians who are desirous of being relevant in the society through mischief and needless controversies.
9. Finally, Abia State government enjoins the public to ignore the false alarm and the follow-up distortions accompanying it in the media as the government has no interest in gagging the press.
