Pictures: Gov. Wike demolishes two hotels for flaunting lockdown orders

Posted by admin COVID-19, Headlines, Health, Rivers, State News Sunday, May 10th, 2020

Pictures: Gov. Wike demolishes two hotels for flaunting lockdown orders

(NNP) The governor of Rivers State, Mr. Nyesom Wike, on Sunday personally supervised the demolition of two hotels in the state for violating his executive orders for businesses to stop operation to control the spread of the coronavirus in the state. The hotels, Prudent Hotel located at Alode Eleme and Etemeteh Hotel located at Onne, were completely destroyed with bulldozers transported to the sites by heavy equipment carrying trucks. Gov. Wike’s heavy-handed approach has generated immense controversy and debate on social media.

His actions are coming at a time when governments around the world are supporting small businesses considered the drivers of the economy with cash infusion and resources, ensuring they stay afloat and continue to provide jobs and essential services. In the United States and Canada for example, the governments have provided loans and wage subsidies programs for small businesses to remain viable and continue to keep workers on the payroll.

In a democracy, there are many options available to the government to address such violations beside the destruction of businesses and livelihood. For example, the owners of the businesses could be charged to court and fined accordingly or the businesses could be ordered closed for a specific period of time. Many who have reacted to his actions believe that they are without due process, putting him and his administration in a position of being the accuser, the judge and the executioner.

– New Nigerian Politics