Warri: Oborevwori resolves two-year-old blackout in a jiffy

•What he told Delta royal fathers about MORE Agenda

By Festus Ahon

Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has continued to show his passion for the development of Delta State through his M.O.R.E. Agenda as he completes one month as the state chief executive.

On Monday, June 26, while inspecting the ongoing construction of Phases I and II of the Warri/Effurun Storm Water Control Projects in Warri South and Uvwie Local Government Areas, the governor ordered the demolition of all buildings erected along waterways in the state.

Oborevwori, who was miffed by reports of buildings built on natural waterways and causing flooding in parts of the state, said there was no place in the world where people were allowed to build on waterways and directed the Ministries of Housing, Works and Lands to identify and pull down all such buildings to allow free flow of water on natural waterways.

He said: “We started inspection with Phase 11 of the Storm Water Drainage Project being handled by CCECC. They have five catchment areas. We have looked at their works and realised that they have done a lot as they have gone very far.

“They have some obstacles and we also looked at what is causing the obstacles and got to know that there are some buildings on natural waterways, which is causing obstructions and slowing down the spate of work being done by the construction firm.

“We assured the contractors that all the buildings on waterways, both in Phase l and Phase 11, will be brought down by the State Government to enable them finish their work seamlessly.

“They told us that they need 21 days for some of the areas they have opened, that are causing gridlock to be properly fixed, and the drainage crossing Airport Road by Fani-Kayode was cast on Saturday and they need about 19 days for that area to be fixed also.

“On Phase l of the project, there are a lot of buildings on the waterways and l have directed the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Housing and Works to liaise with the Ministry of Lands to see how those buildings on water ways can be brought down to enable the construction firm have unfettered access to do their work”.