By Sunday Apah
The Director General, Special Duties, Delta State, Chief Frank Omare has stated that the state government will soon embark on demolition of structures blocking the free flow of water along natural waterways in major towns in the state.
Omare who made this known when he visited some structures blocking free flow of water in the natural ways in Warri South and Uvwie Local Government Area, said the government areas, said the government will not be selective when bringing down structures blocking the natural waterways.
Omare who visited Nemejor Street, Off Akpakpa, Auntie Rose Street, KFT, Heaven Estate in Ugboroke Community, Wood Market, Ekpan and Uti Street, Effurun, stated that he went for the visit on the mandate of the governor, Rt. Sheriff Oborevwori to identify structures blocking the natural waterways.
According to him, “whenever there is little rain, everywhere would be flooded because a lot of buildings are standing on waterways and as a responsible government we cannot allow it.
“Some of the structures were illegally approved, some of them were approved, some does not have approval, hence my office was directed by the governor to go round, identify and pull down those structures blocking the natural waterways.
“It’s not going to be selective, it will affect both the poor, rich and politicians including our party members, provided that we identify that it is an obstruction and blocking the free flow of water. We appreciate that times are hard, we can’t because of that allow irresponsible activities against our environment.
“We are very ready in few days from now to begin to do the needful. If your structure is built on the natural waterways, remove it, or if you use the government owned drains as dump site, stop the act because government will no longer allow it.
“Very soon we will be moving round with a mobile court to restrict people from using illegal structures along the road side and also, those plying their trade under high tension, so that our people can be safe.
“Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori led administration, meant well for Deltans, and our agency is poised to do things in that direction. So I am appealing to Deltans to corporate with us because we will not compromise the safety of our people.
“The exercise would be sustain as long as Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori remains governor of the state because Warri, Ughelli, Uvwie, Sapele, Agbor, Kwale, Oghara, Oleh, Ozoro, Asaba, Abraka, Udu, Otokutu, Otu-Jeremi, Agbarho and other major towns in the state are currently being ravaged by flood. And this is just the beginning of the rains and we are about entering the main season of rain”, he added.
