ASABA/Nigeria: In a decisive move to reclaim public spaces and restore order in the Delta State capital, the Delta State Capital Territory Development Agency (DSCTDA) has commenced a large-scale enforcement operation against illegal roadside structures and street trading activities across Asaba.
The exercise, which began last week, forms part of a broader urban renewal and environmental sanitation campaign designed to enhance road safety, ease traffic congestion, and preserve the aesthetic character of Asaba as a modern and well-planned capital city.
The operation is being executed by the DSCTDA Task Force under the directive of the Director-General, Mr. Patrick Ukah, who has repeatedly emphasized the need for strict compliance with environmental and traffic regulations within the capital territory.
Key areas affected by the enforcement 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. These locations had witnessed a proliferation of makeshift structures and illegal trading activities encroaching on road setbacks, walkways, and drainage channels.
Speaking on the exercise, Ukah described the operation as long overdue, noting that the unchecked spread of roadside trading had created serious safety hazards for motorists and pedestrians while undermining traffic flow and environmental standards.
He stressed that the Agency would no longer tolerate activities that deface the city or endanger lives, clarifying that the enforcement drive was not targeted at individuals but aimed at restoring sanity and enforcing existing laws.
“The objective is to ensure that our capital city reflects order, cleanliness, and proper urban planning. This is about public safety and the collective good,” he stated.
Ukah advised affected traders to relocate to government-approved and designated markets, warning that the enforcement would be sustained and extended to other areas if non-compliance persists.
Beyond the removal of illegal structures, the Agency has also intensified routine sweeping and sanitation of major road corridors, with particular attention to the Mammy Market/Traffic Light axis, in a bid to prevent the re-emergence of illegal activities.
The sanitation component of the exercise 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 recorded so far.
He appealed to residents, traders, and commuters to cooperate with the Agency by adhering to environmental regulations and maintaining cleanliness in their surroundings.
Reaffirming the Agency’s commitment, Ukah emphasized that building a clean, safe, and orderly Asaba remains central to the vision of sustainable urban development in Delta State, noting that a well-organised capital city is critical to the image, growth, and overall progress of the state.
