By – Newsbreeze
The Delta State Capital Territory Development Agency (DSCTDA) has commenced a major enforcement and environmental sanitation exercise at the Koka Interchange and its adjoining corridors in Asaba, as part of efforts to restore order, improve sanitation, enhance security and preserve the aesthetics of the state capital territory.
The exercise, which began on Monday, targets illegal trading activities, unauthorized roadside businesses, indiscriminate parking, illegal loading and offloading of passengers, and other forms of encroachment on public spaces within the Koka axis.
Speaking on the operation, the Director-General of DSCTDA, Mr. Patrick Ukah, said the exercise was designed to ensure the proper use of public infrastructure and maintain environmental standards in one of the busiest gateways into Asaba.
According to him, the enforcement operation is being executed through Public Watch Consultants, a private-sector participant engaged by the agency specifically to monitor and maintain environmental standards around the Koka Interchange and surrounding corridors.
The team is led by its Head, Mr. Francis Igho, while the agency’s Head of Environment, Mr. Isaac Nwosu, is supervising the environmental aspect of the exercise.
Ukah stressed that the operation would not be a one-off exercise but a continuous programme with no terminal date, warning that the agency would adopt a zero-tolerance approach toward individuals and groups who illegally occupy public spaces within the Koka corridor.
The objective is to restore sanity, improve cleanliness, enhance security and ensure that public spaces are used for their intended purposes. We want to create an environment that reflects the status of Asaba as a modern state capital, he stated.
Also speaking, Mr. Isaac Nwosu disclosed that the enforcement followed the expiration of several abatement notices previously issued to illegal traders, unauthorized commercial tricycle operators, roadside occupants and motorists operating in restricted areas.
He explained that routine sweeping, waste collection and refuse evacuation would continue as part of the agency’s environmental sustainability programme. He further revealed that consultations were ongoing with community leaders and relevant stakeholders to facilitate the peaceful relocation of homeless persons and casual labourers occupying unauthorized public spaces.
On his part, Mr. Francis Igho said security personnel and task force officials would maintain a constant presence at the cleared locations to prevent a return of illegal activities as the exercise expands to other sections of the Koka corridor.
Reacting to the development, a commercial transport operator, Mr. Charles Ijeh, appealed to the Delta State Government to provide designated motor parks for transport operators affected by the enforcement exercise.
He noted that members of his transport group belong to a recognized national transport union and regularly remit revenue to the government, adding that the provision of designated parks would enable them to operate legally while helping to reduce traffic congestion and improve public order.
The Manager, Administration and Finance of DSCTDA, Mr. Vincent Ohwofadjeke, reiterated the agency’s commitment to sustaining the enforcement operation, describing it as a necessary step toward protecting public infrastructure, strengthening environmental sanitation, improving traffic management and enhancing public safety across the Delta State Capital Territory.
Residents and commuters have welcomed the initiative, expressing optimism that the exercise will contribute to a cleaner, safer and more organized environment within the Koka Interchange and other strategic locations in Asaba.