Taskforce meets with Orosuen of Uhurie Kingdom over construction of illegal structures under Otokutu bridge

Taskforce meets with Orosuen of Uhurie Kingdom over construction of illegal structures under Otokutu bridge 

In the early hours on Tuesday 13th July, 2021, a combined team of the Delta State Taskforce on Environment, the Federal Ministry of Works as well as the Warri/Uvwie and Environs Special Area Development Agency met with HRM, Reuben Ogode Raleigh, the Orosuen of Uhurie Kingdom, following the report of construction of illegal structures discovered to be Saw Mill company (market) under Otokutu bridge in Ughelli South LGA, of the state.

The state taskforce served Abatement Notice to stop the construction work because it discovered that the owner of the project does not take cognizance of safety precaution as well as the state environment law.

Speaking during the meeting, the Asst. Coordinator of taskforce Delta South, Hon. Rita Mcmendie made the king to understand that the project encroached the state environment law. She stressed that before such project is carried out, the following terms and conditions must be  observed so as to be on the safe side of the law.

1) Write application letter to the office of Delta State Taskforce on Environment for approval.

2) Obtain Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Certificate from the Ministry of Environment.

3) Obtain Right of Way Permit from the Federal Ministry of Works.

Once the above requirements are meant, there would be no problem as regards to the project in the future, she stated.

Also speaking is Mr. Michael Boyor, from Federal Ministry of Works, said the project was suppose to be sited a distance of 45.72 metres, that is 150metres wide left and 150metres right away from the bridge. According to him: "When taken measurement at the project site with tape, we find out that the project encroached the Federal Government Right of Way Law among others. Hence the work has to be stopped until due process is followed." He added that the essence of following due process was to ensure security of lives and properties as well as to avoid unnecessary accident.

In his response, the Orosuen of Uhurie Kingdom, HRM. Reuben Ogode Raleigh appreciated the team of the State Taskforce on Environment for the enlightenment and the peaceful approach, stressing that he will follow up the guidelines as provided by the law and the government. The Orosuen reiterated that he decided to open up the popular Otokutu bridge where criminals and ritualists used as hideout to perpetrate evil. He believe that bringing Saw Mill market will help develop the area, thereby siege away criminals operating under Otokutu bridge. He therefore, appealed to the government to cooperate with him so as to keep the environment safe for residents, he stated. 

Meanwhile, the State taskforce also Served Abatement Notice to a dredger working at Otokutu creek close to the bridge to stop work because its operations in the area violates the Delta State Environment Law. The dredger was supposed to operate in a reasonable distance of half kilometers away from the bridge as well as residential homes. It was discovered that the dredger encroached the law by working below the required standard of operation. The dredging activities is unsafe to residents in the area as well as a threat to the public bridge. They where asked to stop work until they follow due process in order to prevent foreseen future calamity in the area.

However, those present at the meeting include; Hon. Rita Mcmendie (Asst. Coordinator taskforce), Mrs. Rachael Obiren (Health Official), Mr. Michael Boyor (Rep Ministry of Works), Hon. Frank Alale (Supervisor taskforce), Mr. Michael Oyimor (Supervisor taskforce) and Engr. Okeme Obruche, from Warri/Uvwie and Environs Special Area Development Agency, Delta State.