By EMMA ARUBI & FESTUS AHON

UGHELLI — DELTA State Government has embarked on the destruction of illegal structures blocking water channels in Warri and Effurun. It also vowed not to spare any illegal structure on water channels in the state.

State Commissioner for Environment, Chief Frank Omare, yesterday, said the decision was part of the state government’s effort to guard against serious flooding in the state, with the coming of the rainy season.

Noting  that the decision was in line with the prediction of Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NIMET, that there would be more rainfall this year, he said over eight buildings, including a church and a shopping plaza, had been demolished  in the exercise, which commenced on April 21, in Warri and its environs.

Omare said: “Six buildings were,  weekend, demolished on  the water channel that runs from Igbudu Market through Lower Erejuwa in Warri, in the ongoing opening up of natural waterways and drainages. No fewer than 40 houses will go down by the time the exercise is concluded across the state.

“One of the six buildings with more than six lock up stalls, at the Spare Parts Market on Lower Erejuwa Road was brought down while the remaining five suffered serious damages.”

He  vowed that any building on water channels would  be brought down.