By Kingsley Chibuzor
In a renewed push to enhance urban orderliness, safety, and environmental standards, the Delta State Capital Territory Development Agency (DSCTDA) has commenced a large-scale cleanup and enforcement operation targeting illegal roadside structures and unapproved trading activities across Asaba, the state capital.
The exercise, which began last week, forms part of a broader urban renewal and environmental sanitation strategy designed to reclaim public spaces, improve traffic flow, and reinforce Asaba’s status as a modern and well-planned capital city.
Carried out by the DSCTDA Task Force under the directive of the Director-General, Mr. Patrick Ukah, the operation has led to the dismantling and removal of makeshift stalls and illegal structures erected on road setbacks, walkways, and drainage channels.
Areas covered during the initial phase include Akpu Junction, Marble Hill Junction, the Arcade/Ogbeogonogo Market axis, Maryam Babangida Way, Okpanam Road (NTA axis), Okpanam Road by the State House of Assembly, Inter-Bau Roundabout, Ibusa Road/Slot, and the Nnebisi Road corridor—locations where unregulated trading activities had significantly impeded traffic movement and posed safety concerns.
Speaking on the rationale behind the exercise, Mr. Ukah described the operation as timely and necessary, noting that the unchecked proliferation of roadside trading had become a threat to public safety and urban order.
He emphasized that the enforcement was aimed at restoring sanity and ensuring compliance with existing environmental and traffic regulations, not targeting individuals.
“The capital territory must reflect order, safety, and cleanliness. Activities that endanger lives, obstruct traffic, or deface the city will no longer be tolerated,” the Director-General stated.
Mr. Ukah urged affected traders to relocate to government-approved and designated markets, warning that the exercise would be sustained and extended to other parts of the capital if violations persist.
In addition to the enforcement action, DSCTDA intensified routine sweeping and sanitation of major road corridors, with particular attention to the Mammy Market/Traffic Light axis, as part of measures to maintain cleanliness and prevent a resurgence of illegal activities.
The sanitation component of the operation was supervised by the Head of Environment, DSCTDA, Mr. Isaac Nwosu, who disclosed that monitoring teams have been deployed to ensure continued compliance and to consolidate the gains of the exercise.
Mr. Nwosu appealed to residents, traders, and road users to support the Agency’s efforts by adhering to environmental laws and maintaining clean surroundings.
Reaffirming the Agency’s mandate, Mr. Ukah stressed that DSCTDA remains committed to building a clean, safe, and orderly capital territory, adding that a well-organized Asaba is critical to the image, growth, and sustainable development of Delta State.
