The Rivers State Government has issued a 7-day ultimatum to operators and occupants of an illegal dumpsite sited in a residential and an industrial area along Danjuma drive off Peter Odili road in Port Harcourt to vacate or be forced out.
The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development Rt. Hon. Evans Bipi issued the order during an on-the-spot visit to the area along with the enforcement team of the Ministry.
He condemned the use of the large hectares of private land by scavengers as a dumpsite in an unauthorized area to gather and sort solid waste for recycling.
The Commissioner said operating such dumpsite in a residential and an industrial area portends grave environmental and health risk.
He also condemned the conversion of the area to a slum accommodation with shanties and illegal structures by the scavengers and other individuals.
Rt. Hon. Evans Bipi wondered why the property owner would allow such illegal activities in his property in an area designated as residential and industrial zone.
He warned that the State Government would commence the clearing of the dumpsite and demolition of all shanties and illegal structures in the area at the expiration of the seven days deadline.
The Commissioner reiterated the unwavering determination of the Ministry under his watch to mitigate the proliferation of illegal structures and slums in Port Harcourt and other parts of the State.
On his part, the Chairman, Special Committee on Development Control of the Ministry, Tpl. David Ogbanga said the existence of such slum is impeding the efforts of the Ministry in promoting sustainable urban development in line with the United Nations Goals on Sustainable Development.
He said besides its negative impact on urbanization, slums act as a breeding ground for miscreants and promotion of social vices.
Tpl. Ogbanga decried the pollution of the environment as a result of activities of the operators of the illegal dumpsite and the slum dwellers.
He vowed that in the coming days the Enforcement Team will go tough on slum dwellers and operators of such unauthorized dumpsite in Port Harcourt and its environs.
Emeka Idika Kalu,
SA on Media/Publicity to the Honourable Commissioner for Physical Planning and
Urban Development,
6th December, 2024.
