Rivers State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Evans Bipi, has announced a seven-day ultimatum to address the presence of slums and illegal waste dumpsites in Port Harcourt City.
Expressing concerns over the activities of scavengers in the Trans-Amadi area, Bipi highlighted that vast areas of private land have been converted into sites for waste sorting and assemblage.
The notice was issued on Saturday following an enforcement operation conducted at the Trans-Amadi Industrial Area.
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He strongly criticized the proliferation of illegal dumpsites and shanties in commercial zones and called on occupants to vacate properties marked for demolition.
“Scavengers here are contributing to environmental hazards; their operation is highly unacceptable. This administration will no longer continue to allow them to deface our residential and industrial areas,” Bipi stated.
He further emphasized the administration’s determination to tackle the issue: “We have given occupants seven days to vacate affected properties, as we shall commence waste clearing and demolition of shanties in the area. Property owners should refrain from leasing their properties to operators of unapproved and hazardous businesses or face the full weight of the law.”
Mr. David Ogbanga, Chairman of the Special Committee on Development Control within the ministry, also emphasized the government’s commitment to sustainable urban development aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Ogbanga pointed out the broader implications of slums on urbanization, stating, “Apart from defacing the city’s outlook, slums impede urbanization, and they constitute a breeding ground for miscreants as well as hideouts for criminals and perpetrators of all forms of social vices.
“We will put an end to this in the coming days. Our enforcement team will begin demolition to restore serenity to our city as well as protect residents.”
