There was tension on Friday at the Camp 74 axis of the state capital when the State Ministry of Environment Sanitation Task Force stormed the area to effect the demolition of illegal structures.
The bulldozer was set to roll its tyres towards the many make shift shops in the area, but the situation was tensed, as women and children wept and wailed as shop owners made efforts to remove their wares to save them from being crushed.
The State Commissioner for Environment, Mr Chris Onogba, who led the team, was overwhelmed by the cry of children that he had to stop action and asked the shop owners to remove the structures themselves before Monday.
The Task Force had visited West End, DBS road, and the New General Hospital axis of the Core Area, where illegal structures were brought down.
The Commissioner said the face of the state capital must change for good and this could not be achieved with make shift structures dotting every part of the State Capital Territory.
Onogba said enough notice had been given to all concerned, adding that there had been jingles in the electronic media and road announcement round town to adequately sensitize the people.
He said there would be no secret cow, adding that the exercise was not intended to witch hunt anyone, but to improve the image of the state by making people to take ownership of their environment and change narrative of unpleasant sights.
The Commissioner assured that the exercise would be sustained as it would be followed by strict policing and intensive sensitization.
Onogba advised owners of illegal structures yet to be visited to remove them as demolition must continue no matter whose ox is gored.
Senator Ned Nwoko Sets People-Centered Agenda for Representation