Warri South, state taskforce demolish illegal structures
By Elohor Foghola
Shanties and caravans erected in Warri along drains and directly under high tension cables were yesterday, demolished by combined personnel of Warri South Local Government Council, Taskforce on Beautification and the Delta State Taskforce on Environment.
The areas visited by the combined team were Edjeba Road, Chevron Club Road, opposite Delta Broadcasting Service (DBS), NPA Expressway by Edjeba, Ugbuwangue axis of the NPA Expressway, under Ogunu-Ugbuwangue Flyover, Odion Road by Mciver Market and Igbudu Market.
The exercise coordinated by the Warri South Local Government Council Taskforce Chairman on Beautification, Mr. Kenneth George and the Delta State Taskforce Chairman on Environment, Evangelist Sylvester Oromoni, began at DBS end of Edjeba Road.
Chairman of Warri South Local Government Council, Dr. Michael Tidi, who was also on ground to supervise the exercise, assured that there would be strict monitoring to prevent re-erection of the shanties and caravans.
He said that his administration had doubled efforts to rid Warri of illegal structures, adding that it was with a view to improving the aesthetics of the Oil City and ultimately attract genuine local and external investors.
Tidi stated that the demolition of illegal structures under the flyover connecting Ogunu and Ugbuwangue Communities, was done after a well thought-out plan, explaining that it was to clear the place of criminal elements, who use the place to trade and consume illicit drugs.
The Chairman of the State Taskforce on Environment, Evangelist Sylvester Oromoni, dismissed claim by some owners of the demolished structures that they were not given notice.
According to Oromoni, adequate prior information was given by both the State Taskforce on Environment and the Warri South Local Government Council Taskforce on Beautification.
Vice Chairman of Warri South Council Taskforce on Beautification, Hon. Mavis Onojeghwho, opined that owners of the demolished caravans and shanties, who claimed they were not informed, thought the prior notice would not be backed by action from the state and local governments.
While declaring that every illegal structure in Warri would be brought down for the benefit of everyone, Hon. Onojeghwho, averred that there was no going back in the resolve to make Warri tidy.
The demolition exercise continues today, April 13, 2021.
