Sanitation Authority Boss Explains Ilelgal Structures Demolition

The Rivers State Environmental Sanitation Authority says it will embark on the demolition of illegal structures to restore the aesthetic beauty of Port Harcourt and environ.

Consequently, the authority will roll out the bulldozers on Monday, 23 January, 2012 to pull down illegal structures dotting in the city and its environs.

The chairman of the state Environmental Sanitation Authority, Hon. Isobo Jack who dropped the hint while briefing newsmen in Port Harcourt, said the demolition had become necessary because of the urban renewal policy of the state government.

He explained that traders had ignored several warnings to avoid any action that would truncate the urban renewal policy of the government.

He observed that most of the areas the trades erect illegal structures to carry out their daily business, were originally marked out as ‘no trading zone’, but over time the traders had defied the order.

Jack explained that 10 designated areas where illegal structures would be pulled down, include Eleme to Refinery junction, Ogunabali-Garrison junction, NITEL by Aba Road, the Boro Park Flyover, the Rumuola under Flyover and others.

According to him, this time, there would be no sacred cow; saying all illegal structures would be pulled down to give a face lift to the city and environs.

When our correspondent visited some of the areas earmarked for demolition, traders were seen removing their wares and pulling down the illegal structures to escape the wrath of the law.

One of the traders, Chibiuke Okoro, told The Tide that, he was removing his wares for precautional  reason, adding that, in the past, bullzoers were sent to their stores unannounced, resulting in several damages and loss of goods.

A cross section of the traders told The Tide that some state environmental sanitation officers, collect fees from them, urging the authorities to provide alternative place for them to carryout their business.