Illegal Occupants of living and non-living quarters at the Government Craft Development Centre, Aba Road, Port Harcourt, have been given a 24-hour eviction order by the Rivers State Government.

  Dr Tammy Danagogo, Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, handed down the order last Wednesday, when he paid an unscheduled visit to the centre to make an on-the-spot assessment of facilities available there.

  The commissioner expressed disappointment with both the Director and Principal of the centre in view of the extent of decay and indiscipline which he observed, saying “many things have gone wrong here. We have heard reports that are not acceptable, such as criminals residing here and the presence of wastes everywhere.”

  He then declared that all illegal structures must go down, adding that the environment must be made conducive for learning and reminded staff of the centre that the ban on non-use of government schools for religious activities was still in force.

  For emphasis, Dr Danagogo warned that even “those whose parents had retired or died do not have any right to continue to occupy staff quarters” and advised them to quit or risk forced eviction and arrest.

  Besides, the commissioner noted that it was illegal to hire our part of the premises for any reason, pointing out that the partnership with Rivers State Polytechnic, Bori, was duly scrutinized and found to be mutually beneficial before it was approved.

  In her address, Mrs Grace Akpughunum-Okulehi, Permanent Secretary in the ministry, described the situation of the centre as disgusting and unpalatable, pointing out that teachers owe it to society to be of good behaviour and worthy role models for the children they chaperon.

  The Permanent Secretary noted that things had deteriorated and that the school had become a criminal and racketeering centre, stressing that it would require a change of attitude by the teachers to move the institution to deserved heights.

  As a measure to re-order the general administration of the centre, the commissioner scheduled a meeting for all officers on Grade Level 12 upwards and principles of other centres with him and the Permanent Secretary on Friday, February 12, 2010 in his office.