The Delta State Government has marked for demolition, the house belonging to Hon. Victor Egbo, the Commissioner representing Isoko ethnic nationality at the Delta State Oil Mineral Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) for building on a waterway in Ughelli North Local Government Area.
This information was disclosed on Wednesday by Chief Frank Omare, the Director of Special Duties and Chairman of the Task Force on the removal of illegal structures and recovery of government land, during an operation in Ughelli, Delta State.
Omare issued a warning that the Sheriff Oborevwori administration will take action against anyone obstructing this exercise throughout the state.
According to him: “We have come to open the water blocked area because so many houses have blocked the water channels and glad to tell Deltans that one of the top government officials, Chief Victor Egbo is among the houses that would be brought down for the duration the exercise will last in Ughelli.
“I am glad that he knows the policy of government and if the house of Last Mugu will be brought down because it is built on the waterways, we are not going to spare anyone.
“The exercise has just begun and there are more swamp buggies that are coming and for the period the exercise is going to last, the people of Ughelli should cooperate as we will and cannot compromise.
“The governor of Delta State, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, a very focused man has given us the directives and we will adhere strictly to the directives and we will not compromise them.
“I am pleading with Ughelli people never to bribe anybody, we are not compromising so that the water that is coming would not further destroy our properties because times are hard.
“We are not going to victimise anybody just as some house owners have done to the state government by building their houses inside water canals in other to block the flow of water.” He said.
On communities obstructing government activities, Omare emphasized that the Delta State government will not seek permissions from anybody being youth or community leadership to clear waterways.
“Importantly, the youths of Delta State, the community leaders, government cannot come and meet you to get permission from you to clear the waterway, we are not going to pay any kobo and we will not negotiate with it.
“And any youth or anybody that would want to stop the process we are going to visit that person, but I am glad that the people of Ughelli are cooperating.
“Those that had their buildings along the water channels, like the ShopFair should immediately remove them because when our Swamp Buggy comes, we will not look at anyone.” He warned.
Chairman of Ughelli North Local Government council, Olorogun Jaro Egbo also affirmed that exercise is part of his task of keeping Ughelli North clean and as the water is flowing, everywhere will be cleared.
“The task of keeping Ughelli North clean is a daily task and what is happening now is part of keeping the town clean and we have declared war on those trading and built on top of our drains for past one week.
“As it is now, we have declared a state of emergency on our drains, because all are blocked and we were shocked that ShopFair was built on top of the drain and that is why water is blocking that area.
Reacting to the news of the demolition of his building, Chief Victor Egbo said, I embraced the situation because I am a part and parcel of the MORE Agenda of government and as a commissioner, I should serve as an example.
“If I cannot lead for the rest to follow, it means I am setting a bad precedent for the people, it is painful but we must do what is right for our waterways to be cleared and opened to avoid flooding.
“I did not know that the building is on a water canal and when my attention was drawn to it, I have to call the Task Force Chairman, Frank Omare to come and remove it for the water to flow to its direction.
“Today I am a victim because three of my buildings are affected but I have been assisting them by going around to show them where the water should flow as we cannot use our self-interest to punish others.
“Some of our buildings around the water canals are the major cause of the water rising during the rainy and flooding season and we cannot continue to punish the people.” He added.
