By Harris-okon Emmanuel,
Correspondent, Warri
Delta State has stated that it won’t yield to blackmail and other threats in the ongoing exercise to demolish all illegal structures in a bid to give the major towns charming looks.
Commissioner for Environment, Franc Omare, stated this against the backdrop of public outcry over the degree of destruction of shops, kiosks, offices among others, which had lined most major roads in Warri, Effurun , Udu and other cities in the state.
Omare, maintained the exercise was punitive but aimed at bringing the environment back to its pristine nature, calling for attitudinal change from the populace.
The commissioner challenged those affected in the exercise to produce approval by the relevant authorities otherwise they should comply with the government as the exercise was in the overall interest of all and sundry.
He cautioned against trading on the sidewalks , as according to him, there are many stalls lying empty in the markets and shopping malls and advised them to use them instead of erecting illegal shops along the streets to sell their wares.
He debunked insinuation in some quarters that government was selective in the demolition exercise, saying that the operations were in accordance with the relevant environmental laws. Omare said the people have taken environmental cleanliness for granted for too long, maintaining that the exercise has come to stay, advising residents to cultivate the habits of cleanliness.
Apparently to tackle the huge waste generated by the people., he said government has awarded contract totaling about N1.7 billion for the construction of an incinerator of 2000 tonnes in Warri , adding that the one in Ibusa has come on stream. The commissioner equally disclosed that government has engaged the services of no fewer than 1,600 environmental marshals to monitor unhealthy environmental behaviours, saying that more hands would be engaged for the initiative in due course.
Omare also said many owners of property that allowed waste to be dumped in their frontages have been prosecuted and resounded the warning that no offender would be spared no matter their connection to the government.
He advised the people to do away with sentiment and imbibe the culture of ‘‘respecting’’ the environment, noting that ‘‘when Nigerians travel out, they behave well , but when they come back, they take things for granted’’, stressing that such negative attitudes must stop.
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