The Posers of Delta’s demolition exercise

The demolition of perceived illegal structures by the Delta State Special Task Force on Environmental Sanitation now led by the State Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Frank Omare has not come without its hue and cry, despite its seeming opening up of Warri, Effurun and Udu towns.

While the exercise has greatly helped in creating space and adding appreciable aesthetic to Warri, Effurun and Udu towns, the immediate negative economic impact to those affected as well as its multiplier effect on the commercial life of the three local government headquarters is an issue for another discourse.

In as much as some credit should be given to the Task Force led by the Energetic State Commission for Environment, Mr. Frank Omare, there are begging questions the Special Task Force and indeed the State Ministry of Environment need to provide answers for.

Having recorded reasonable success in clearing traders and owners of other business concerns whose commercial activities were blocking the right of way, what are the alternatives the state government is providing for traders affected?

While officials of the state government will be quick to mention that many shops in public markets across Warri, Effurun and Udu are left empty, the question that readily comes to mind is how motor-able, convenient and business friendly are these public markets?

What is the Special Task Force and the State Ministry of Environment doing to effectively manage the embarrassing and indiscriminate dumping of refuse along Warri, Effurun, Udu and other major towns in Delta State?  Because the bitter truth is that the local government councils constitutionally saddled with that responsibility has become appendages of the state government with little or no fund to tackle the waste management challenge!

How much is the Special Task Force doing to open up canals, drains and other natural water-ways, major roads and streets?

Until these posers are addressed by the state government, the performance of the Special Task Force on Environmental Sanitation will continue to fall short of public expectations.

Editor-In-Chief

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