The Delta State government has banned the use of caravans and containers for trading in the state and will soon start arresting and prosecuting welders who construct caravans and containers, Frank Omare has said.
Omare, the state Commissioner for Environment said this during a press conference held at the Government House Annex, Warri.
“We will apprehend and prosecute welders who engage in welding caravans for people. That is one way we can eliminate the use of caravans for trading in Delta,” he said, describing caravans as `satanic objects’.
The commissioner said the ongoing demolition in Warri-South, Uvwie and Udu local government areas would continue until the committee achieves its mandate, adding that the ongoing clean-up exercise in Warri and its environs was not meant to victimise anyone.
Omare, who is also the chairman, Special Environmental Task Force in the state, said Saturday (May 17) has been set aside as compulsory environmental sanitation day in the three local government areas, adding that all the residents of the areas would be involved in the exercise.
Omare said the sanitation team would use the opportunity to clear some of the demolished illegal structures and carry out more demolition.
“It will involve everybody and six mobile courts will be on ground to prosecute offenders.
“The exercise will commence at 7 a.m. and terminate at noon in the three local government areas,” he said.
It will be recalled that in April, the government constituted a 25-man special sanitation team headed by the deputy governor, Prof. Amos Utuama, to rid the state of illegal structures.
A 14-man team, headed by Omare, was constituted following the expiration of the 10-day ultimatum given to the committee to complete its work.
The commissioner said the new task force would embark on its duty without fear or favour.
“We are all affected by the exercise. As a government, we have the responsibility of ensuring that environmental laws are put in place,” he said.
“We have done a lot but the job is still on; we are doing some level of beautification by planting trees and flowers in some areas,” he said.
Omare said that 1,600 Environmental Marshals would be employed soon to ensure compliance with environmental law and ensure sustainability.
Frank Omare and co, I want to use thid medium to commend the effort of th committee and what they have achieved so far. Warri is lookin far better than it was a 2months ago, and most of dis illegal structures were a sore sight for the eyes. That said I want to correct an impression here “that d demolition exercise is without fear and favour” is a blatant LIE!!! I was suprised to c a block of shops along okere/ugorikoko road dat was built almost on top of d drainage system still standin. The structure is newly built opposite OASIS hotel close to Estate B/stop. I believe dat dis demolition exercise is tarfetted @ citizens witout connection which is alwayz d case in tinz like dis!!!