Francis Sadhere

Frank Omare, Delta State Commissioner for Environment, speaking to the press during the demolision exercise.

THE fear of Delta State Environment Commissioner, Mr. Frank Omare, today gripped residents of Warri as he destroyed all caravans and illegal structures along the road in Edjeba and made it known that the State Government cannot be intimidated in the bid to get it right.

Our Correspondent, Francis Sadhere reports that the Commissioner, who came out as early as 5.00am, today rid the entire area of Caravans and other illegal structure along the road.

He said he had given notice to affected persons long ago and made good his promise on Sunday morning to bring down all the caravans and illegal structures in the Area.

He, however, gave students of the College of Education, Warri who staged a peaceful protest one month grace within which to move out of their makeshift hotels before the bulldozers will roar to life again to send them packing from the area.

Our Correspondent also reports that despite the notice given to owners of caravans and other illegal structures along the Edjeba road, most of them were caught napping when the bulldozers set off for the demolition exercise witnessed by the Commissioner for Transport, Hon Ben Igbakpa and Warri South Transition Committee Chairman, Dr Augustine Uroye.

According to our correspondent, not a few rushed from church when the news got to them to salvage their business places, with many of them complaining that they were not given enough notice to look elsewhere. But it turned out to be a good day to some such as cab drivers, truck owners and pay loaders who made brisk business by helping to evacuate things from business premises.

Hon. Frank Omare, (Second Right) pointing at an illegal structure while Dr. Augustine Uroye (left), Warri South Chairman look on during the demolition of illegal structures at Edjaba, Warri.

The Commissioner said that; “We carry out demolition exercise on a regular basis as it is part of the mandate given to us; caravans are more than the population in Edjeba community and we are not out to celebrate caravans and they have to go. We are here to tell them today that Government has not gone on vacation. As a result of our work, the drainage cutting across the community is now flowing and the flood has reduced. Edjeba is a beautiful community, but defaced with Caravans and we have to remove them. I am not happy that we are doing this, but we have to do it as government for the community to wear a new face.”

He also said; “And now that we have removed the Caravans and other illegal structures, we will embark on the beatification of the area with good landscaping. What we have done today is for the good of all.”

On the protest by the students of the College of Education, Warri, Omare stated; “As students and Nigerians, they have every reason to protest because it is their welfare and more so, it was a peaceful protest. But government has to do what it has to do. And what is right is that this place that we are right now is proliferated with illegal structures.”

“I have been given the mandate that these illegal structures vanish from Delta State. What we are doing is legal and I have given the students one month to vacate these illegal structures and they also appreciate the fact that I have given them one month. I am going to inform the colleague, the Commissioner for Higher Education to look into the matter,” he stated.

Bulldozer at work during the demolition exercise

According to him, “But what is important is that I have to do what is right. I want to appeal to them, because they said they are students – but I know that more than 60% of the people living here are not students. And in one month time, there is no amount of persuasion that will prevail on me not to demolish this place. They are writing their exams now and I know that one month is not too small for them vacate the place, and I do not want anybody to endanger what we are doing in this place.”

The Environment Commissioner while responding to a question said “What is political about it? These are structures that are not approved by the Ministry of Lands and Survey. They are illegal structures. According to my Governor, every Deltan is a lawyer. But what is right is that if we cannot do it now who is going to do for us tomorrow? Some persons did not do it today and that is why we are where we are today. So it is important that, though people may read political meaning into what you do, but you have to have the courage and the guts to do what is right. I do not care whatever political meaning they are reading into it because it is not a political affair.”

In his words also; “I know that people will appreciate the free flow of air here. There were criminals here before and a lot of robberies were taking place here before. Are those political robberies too? These are statement of facts. Anyway, in a month’s time we are going to do what is right. Everybody that is living here should leave. People should not bring in more caravans here again. And in by next month, we are going to come here with enough equipment and any residents, we catch here is going to pay.”

A woman sitting at her demolished shop licking her wounds

“I have told the Warri South Council to evacuate everything that is here by on Monday, August 12, 2013, so that the beatification team will come and beautify this place for the good of the people. In my operations in this state, I want to say it clearly that I have stepped on the toes of a lot of people, positively or negatively. But the most important thing is that I have to do this for the good of our people,” Omare said.

President of the Students Union Government, College of Education, Warri, Comrade Obini Ebilade while speaking to newsmen during a peaceful protest by students of the college urged the Commissioner for High Education, Prof. Hope Eghagha to provide them with hostel accommodation.

He said; “We have about 3,000 students living in a make-shift hotel in Edjeba and now, the State Government is about demolishing them. The education Commissioner should provide us with hostels instead of this slump that we are living. The College of Education, Warri has been in Edjeba community for over twenty years and nobody is thinking of providing us with a befitting accommodation hostels. The State Government should come to our aid.”