Delta State Government is set to move heavy-duty equipment to open blocked waterways in Ughelli metropolis which also will involve the demolition of buildings and other illegal structures erected on the waterways.
To this end, the Director-General, Special Duties, Governor’s Office, Asaba, Chief Frank Omare, on Saturday in Ughelli inspected some of the waterways where structures have been erected to block or narrow the free flow of water particularly when it rains.
Chief Omare also took out time to sensitize traders at two different public markets in the Ughelli metropolis on the need for them to desist from trading on the road and drainages warning them of the dire consequences of flouting the state government’s directive.
Arriving at Ughelli, headquarters of Ughelli North Local Government Area, Chief Omare was led by the chairman of Ughelli North Local Government, Chief Godwin Adode, the President-General of Iwhreko community, Mr David Omotor and the community youth chairman, Comrade Augustine Okirhireri, to an expanse of land on Olotu Road, where traders trading on the road, walkways and drainages at the Ughelli main market would be temporarily relocated.
After the inspection, Chief Omare moved to address the traders mostly women at the Ughelli main market on the state government’s decision which prohibits them from continuing trading on the road and drainages.
He warned the traders to heed completely to the directive as soon as the Ughelli North Council clears the land on Olotu Road as the Delta State government will no longer condone any further insubordination from anybody.
As a long-term measure, Chief Omare disclosed a possible plan by the state government to expand the Ughelli main market to accommodate more traders.
At the Otovwodo market on the East-West road, Chief Omare informed the traders who are still staggering onto the road to trade even after the state government recently demolished and cleared the busy Otovwodo junction to ease the daily traffic gridlock hitherto experienced at the junction.
The DG Special Duties, who emphasized the dangers of trading under high-tension wires urged the President-General of Otovwodo community, Mr Shokare Duck, to assist in enlightening the traders to keep their wares away from drainages and roads as it will not be business as usual.
“We, therefore, warn everyone trading along the road and walkway to relocate immediately to avoid the wrath of the state government. We know times are hard, things are rough, but we must do the right thing, Delta State wants to beautify Ughelli like other cities in the state.”
Chief Omare thereafter visited the Upper Agbarho area in Ughelli metropolis, where he warned owners of buildings and other illegal structures erected on waterways to remove them before swamp buggies and other equipment are moved to demolish them.
“Delta State government will demolish and dredge flood-prone areas in the council area, those who built on natural waterways should remove their buildings, those who do not have approval plans should remove their buildings.
