From Owen Akenzua, Asaba
Delta State government Thursday demolished no fewer than 500 houses blocking waterways.
One of the demolished houses belongs to the Commissioner representing Isoko ethnic nationality at the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, Mr Victor Egbo, and a mini estate belonging to Engr Osas Osaretin in Ughelli town.
The buildings were on water canals, thereby obstructing water flow in the area.
The demolition exercise was supervised by the Director of Special Duties and Chairman, Taskforce on the Recovery of Government Lands, Chief Frank Omare.
Speaking during the exercise, Chief Omare said over 500 houses built on waterways in Ughelli North were demolished to enable free flow of water in the canal.
He said “I don’t know as Nigerians, when it will be convenient to respect the law. Why would anybody build on water channels? It is an offence and officials from the urban renewal ministry, APO 1 and APO2 are here to guide us. In Ughelli, over 500 houses are standing on water canal and I am happy that a serving government official in this state was the first victim.
“I have discussed with officials from the urban renewal ministry and they will serve anybody whose building is on the water canal around Ughelli, so they would not say they were not served the notice. We have spent so much money to clear drains so that when rain comes, people and their properties would not be affected by over flow of water as we cannot be doing the same thing every year.
“This is just the beginning and I will spend nearly two months here. I want the APOs to properly serve all the house owners so that nobody will say I was not informed.
“This exercise is not religious or political, if your house is on the canal, it will come down and I want to tell Ughelli people that they should not allow anyone to use them”.
Reacting to the demolition of his building, Egbo said, “As at today, our call to duty is to serve humanity and this is part of the services we are rendering to the people in making them comfortable and be happy. It is not the responsibility of the governor alone to look after the the people, those who have been appointed as members of his cabinet should also contribute their quota to humanity and this is my contribution.
“Contributing part of my land and properties for the water to flow is a huge contribution that I have given to humanity and the development of our dear state and think the people are happy about it”.
