By Fortune Ngozi Onwordi
The Delta State Government, through the Delta State Capital Territory Development Agency (DSCTDA) has intensified the removal of illegal structures on government setbacks along the Benin/Asaba expressway and other adjoining roads.
The exercise which commenced over a week ago has seen the pulling down of structures blocking the right of way and the relocation of Abraka market which had become a health, security and environmental threat to residents within the state capital.
This followed the expiration of a deadline issued to business and property owners in the affected areas.
Accompanied by men of the Nigeria Police Force, Environmental Health Officers and the some staff of Oshimili South Local Government Council, the agency's operatives proceeded with the enforcement of extant environmental sanitation laws from the Oko axis to Okpanam.
Speaking on the exercise while leading her enforcement team, the director general of the agency, Hon. Mrs. Joan Onyemaechi Mrakpor, said that the state government is not after anybody but to ensure a decent and secure environment for residents. She was pleased with the owners of Pele Block Industry, Asaba.
"We were on the expressway and I found this block industry and I like the innovation. People think that we are after businesses. We are not after people's businesses. I don't know the owner of this block industry but the way it is properly designed made me to ask for the manager and supervisor.
"If you look at the block industry, the people erected a dwarf fence and used a wire goss to allow for patronage, for customers to see their blocks and other products. And within the fenced area, even the externals, everywhere is beautiful with the blocks neatly arranged. This has shown that one can sell blocks along the expressway without constituting a nuisance or defacing the environment."
She stated that the agency will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that sanity is restored to the capital territory. The agency also towed and impounded trucks parked along road shoulders along the expressway.
The enforcement continued at Ibusa road, leading to Federal Technical College, Asaba, where the agency mandated owners of premises that encroached onto the setback to remove such structures and return to the approved building line.
Reacting to the development, some residents applauded the agency for carrying out the enforcement without compromise, as prominent businesses and residential properties were not left out in the exercise.
A trader whose shop was affected by the exercise, Mr. Blessing Onekpe, said,
"Though my shop was demolished I think they are doing a good work. May God bless her for the good work."
Another who craved anonymity said that the notice given to them was too short.
However, most people expressed hope that as long as Mrakpor continues to lead from the front, the best is yet to come from the agency.
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