The Agency which started off incipiently by creating a positive change in the environment through a cleanup exercise, clearing off dirts in most areas especially the Median along Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) Expressway, Effurun Roundabout, Delta Steel Company (DSC) Roundabout and other adjoining areas truly gave the twin cities a facelift.
Also, WUEDA in upholding a clean environment for the people, has evacuated large numbers of illegal dump sites that has being in existence for decades within the area and also involved the Private Sector Participants (PSP) in ensuring appropriate disposal of refuse, as well as embarked on enlightenment campaign through town criers in different strategic places, such as motor parks, business areas amongst others, in its sensitization campaign on the need for clean environment.
The proactive and strategic Director General (DG) of the Agency, who is a former Secretary to the Delta State Government (SSG) Comr. Ovuozourie Macaulay, did not mince words when on one occasion he declared, “I am not here to play politics. My task is very clear and simple. I am here to restore cleanliness and development to Warri, Uvwie and its environs”.
This he has undauntedly done acting on his words, with his enormous wealth of experience and understanding of the dynamism in the work of the Agency, he affirmed that the integrity of jobs by the Agency must be protected, “I don’t want haphazard job” he noted during one of his inspections to site.
According to the former Nigeria Labour Congress chairman and Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), pioneer boss and grand Patron, “I will not seat in my office waiting for site Engineers report, I will be coming out to see the level of work done”, which has helped in great measure in the progress of work ongoing.
The Agency is currently embarking on the following projects: Construction of Access Road to Federal Housing Estate in Ugborikoko, Uvwie LGA, handling by the Contractor, Messrs Neodede Nigeria Enterprises, the Rehabilitation/Asphalt overlay of Apala Road, Okumagba Layout in Warri South LGA, handling by the Contractor, Sharpston Company Ltd and flood Control Measures in Effurun/Warri and Environs (Phase I), at Warri South LGA, handling by the Contractor Levant Construction Limited.
Others are: Flood Control Measures in Effurun/Warri and Environs (Phase II) at Uvwie LGA, handling by the Contractor CCECC, rehabilitation of Failed Sections Between NPA and Chevron Gate U-Turn in Uvwie and Warri South LGA, handling by the Contractor Obafua Nig Ltd, and and the Construction of Trapezoidal Drains on the Median along NPA Expressway, handling by the Contractor, Messrs Dabemi Nigeria Enterprises.
There is no doubt that the completion of the above projects by WUEDA would ultimately end the perennial flooding challenges faced in the area, attract investors, and bring about the needed change and development that the people desire.
Also, the Agency has visited various sites where illegal structures are obstructing waterways, and awareness campaign is ongoing in that regards for people to remove such structures or risk demolition of same when the time comes.
Apparently, with WUEDA pivoting a new dawn in the environmental renewal of the area, people of Warri/Uvwie and environs are sure going to feel the impact of the Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa-led administration as his vision in establishing the Agency is rapidly becoming impactful with regards to the numerous significant projects being carried out by the agency, and this according to the DG is not restricted to Warri and Uvwie alone, but extends to some other parts of Udu, Okpe and Ughelli South local government areas.
The Macaulay-led agency has been able to ride steadily on a sustained progress towards creating a new metropolitan Warri/Uvwie city.
Governor Okowa, with the establishment of WUEDA, have written his name in gold in the sand of time and surely, the verdict of history will be kind to him and Comr. Macaulay’s team.
