Traders at the Ogbe-Ijoh market Warri have been warned against indiscriminate dumping of refuse into the storm water drainage channels in the area.
The Director General of the Warri, Uvwie and Environs Special Area Development Agency, (WUEDA), Prince Godwin Ejinyere, gave the warning on Tuesday when he paid an unscheduled inspection visit to the market.
The WUEDA DG said the visit was to ascertain the extent of work done on the road and drainage construction projects near the market, pointing out some faults which the site supervisor of Levant Construction Company, Hab. Rahab, promised to fix.
At the market road, the Market Chairman appreciated the DG for the visit and commended the Agency for the road and drainage projects with slabs to cover.
He lamented that he had tried to no avail to stop people from trading on the slabs, and dumping refuse into the drainage channels, which he noted were designed to ease the flow of water into the river and should be maintained.
The Ogbe-Ijoh Market Chairman suggested that the drainage system should be opened periodically for routine cleaning to avoid silting.
The WUEDA Director General commended the Market Master for his obvious commitment and urged the traders to play their role as stakeholders to complement government’s efforts at redeeming the agreement reached concerning the market road.
Prince Ejinyere expressed displeasure over the attitude of the Ogbe-Ijoh Market traders, who made the area untidy, warning that anyone caught dumping refuse into the drains would be severely sanctioned.
He directed that the market road should be opened and made accessible to commuters, and promised that the contractor would complete the project by January, 2024.
On the drainage construction site near Palmgrove Hotel, Warri, the WUEDA DG expressed satisfaction at the extent of work done by Levant construction company, asking it to sustain the tempo.
He said despite the delay caused by a dispute over land compensation which was resolved a few weeks ago, the company still performed marvellously well.
Prince Ejinyere said the Agency would continue to encourage Levant to complete the job on schedule, according to specifications.
The DG said when completed, the major drainage project would help to resolve the perennial flooding problem affecting the Okumagba avenue axis of the Oil City.
WUEDA Director of Projects, Engr. Bemigho Ofoeyeno was among the engineers that accompanied the DG on the inspection visit.
Report by the Media Dept of Warri Uvwie and Environs Special Area Development Agency
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