BY FESTUS AHON

UGHELLI—DELTA State Commissioner for Environment, Chief Frank Omare, weekend, vowed that all illegal structures built on natural water channels would be demolished.

Omare,  at Udu, Udu Local Government Area of the state, while opening up some blocked water channels in the area, said the state government was determined to clear all water channels in the state to avoid  a reoccurrence of serious flood challenges in the state this rainy reason.

Noting that the exercise was part of measures by the state government to avert flooding,  he said: “Anybody who refuses to comply with the state environmental laws will see the other side of government.

“Basically, we are aware that some persons have built houses on top of drainages but we are going to bring them down as usual. If any individual uses his structure to block a drain that is going to cause problems, we will not hesitate to pull such structure down.

“What we are doing is a continuation of our drive to avert flood in our local government areas. Udu is one of the seven local government areas where we are working to clear up drainages that are clogged with silt and garbage.

“I have gone round the council with the council chairman and removing structures that will cause flood when the rains eventually become heavy.  After clearing drains and water channels in Udu, the team will move to Ughelli and thereafter, Agbor and Asaba.”