Delta State Government finally demolishes Commissioner's houses, Mini Estates in Ughelli, about 200 houses to go

The Delta State Government, in keeping with its vow to demolish any building built on waterways, has demolished three houses belonging to the Commissioner representing Isoko Ethnic Nationality at the Delta State Oil Producing Development Areas Commission, DESOPADEC board and a mini estate obstructing water flow in Ughelli North Local Government Area.

The demolition which was carried out on Tuesday was supervised by the State Director of Special Duties and Chairman, Task Force on Recovery of Government's  Lands.

With this, it is clear that, Chief Frank Omare has shown a sign of  success in his  continued exercise of demolition since he took over the office as the Director of Special Duties and Chairman, Task Force on Recovery of Government's lands  despite the threat and challenges he faces in Ughelli North and other areas in the state.

Speaking during the exercise, Omare disclosed that over 200 houses built on waterway in Ughelli North has been marked for demolition for the period the exercise will last in the local government.

According to him: "I don't know, as Nigerians, when it will be convenient for us to respect the law? "This is because, sentiments and blackmailing have to be done away with here".

"Why would anybody build houses  on water channels? Don't they know that it is an offense for anyone to do that? Why would they pick an offense if such houses are demolished? My joy is that, it is an  official from the urban renewal because APO 1 and APO 2 are here to guide us in any local government.

"But in Ughelli here, I am so surprised when over 200 houses are  built on water canals. I am happy that a serving Commissioner in this state and old people  who are  over 70 years who  ought to  know the law in this regard, were  the first victims  this morning.

"I have directed the officials from the Urban Renewal to serve everybody whose buildings are on the water canal around Ughelli, so, they would not say they were not served the notice

"We have spent so much money as Government to clear drains  so that when the rain comes, people and their property  would not be affected by over flow of water because we cannot be doing same thing every year.

"The Governor of Delta State, Sheriff Oborevwori has a clear call and Ughelli is like a call out where the canals are connecting and you see dustbin  in  canals.

"There is impunity of " I am a community leader, youth leader" and some kind of funny stories that l must give them money before I will work, I want to see that person.

"We have been here for over a week now, and If I were selective, I would have exonerated the Commissioner's houses but I said no, the houses  must go down and we did pull them down.

"This is just the beginning, I will spend nearly two months here and I want the APOs to be  properly served to  all the house' owners so that, nobody will now say: "I wasn't informed".

"We are not reckless Government but a responsible one that is doing the work. Because of the way the houses are  built, the roads easily  get destroyed in few years  because the water is goes  nowhere.

"This is not a PDP, APC or Labour Party affairs neither a Muslim or Christian. And if your house is on a canal, it will come down and I want to tell Ughelli people that they should not allow anyone to use them.

"It is important that we should do the right thing and we are very serious about it.  Those that built their houses on water channels in Ughelli, should remove their property  before we visit them because, we will not hear 'please'.

"We are aware of some obstacles of blackmail, misinformation targeted to destroy the image of the Government, but very good enough, those are just 20 percent while the remaining 80 percent are applauding the State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori for his boldness.

"Some people will cry, some will praise, some will be happy and sad but it is important that we do  the right thing at the right time.

"The whole of Delta State is the Governor's constituency and we are aware that some people brought out gun to kill and the security agencies are handling the matter currently."

Reacting to the demolition of his buildings, the Commissioner representing Isoko Ethnic Nationality at the Board of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC , Hon. Victor 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 to be comfortable and be happy.

"It is not the responsibility of the Governor alone to look after the well-being of the people but those who have been appointed as members of his cabinet to also contribute their quota to humanity and this is my contribution.

"Contributing part of my land and property  for the water to flow is a huge contribution I have given to humanity and the development of our dear state and  l think the people are happy about it because  there is  no more water disturbances, " he added.