Delta State government has marked for demolition three houses of Hon Victor Egbo, the commissioner representing the Isoko ethnic nation at the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC).
According to the state government, they are illegal structures obstructing water flow.
The director of special duties to the state government and chairman of the Taskforce on the Removal of Illegal Structures and Recovery of Government Lands, Chief Frank Omare, made the revelation.
The announcement came during the launch of a canal-clearing exercise in Ughelli, aimed at preventing flooding by removing obstructions in the water channels.
Omare emphasized that the administration of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori is determined to remove any barriers on the waterways regardless of who owns the property.
“No one will be spared in this exercise. Egbo’s house is just one of many structures to be demolished to restore proper water-flow and prevent further property damage,” he said.
Omare emphasized the state’s zero-tolerance policy for illegal structures, warning that there would be no compromise.
He urged residents not to bribe officials to spare their properties as the government would not relent in its mission to protect the community from the dangers posed by blocked water channels.
Omare noted that the taskforce has been equipped with swamp buggies to remove the buildings obstructing water flow.
He urged residents of Ughelli to cooperate with the authorities to ensure the success of the operation and minimise the impact of future floods.
Additionally, Omare took a firm stand against groups or individuals seeking to impede the exercise declaring that the government would not negotiate with community leaders or youths obstructing the work.
“We do not need permission to clear the waterways,” he said, making it clear that attempts to halt the process would be met with strict enforcement.
Ughelli North local government council chairman, Olorogun Jaro Egbo, confirmed that the clean-up exercise is part of his ongoing initiative to maintain a clean and safe environment.
He noted that several structures, including shops built over drainage systems, had contributed to the flooding problem, and their removal was necessary to restore normalcy.
He called on other property owners to cooperate with the government, stressing that public interest should outweigh personal losses.
