By Isharo Odafe
Delta State Capital Territory Development Agency (DSCTDA) has commenced the inspection of all residential and business premises within the Capital Territory and its environs and will prosecute defaulters at the mobile courts in accordance with the provisions of the law.
A statement signed by the Director General ( DG) Hon. Patrick Ukah stated that the inspection exercise which has since commenced on the 16th of January, 2024 from the Midwifery areas of Okpanam and NTA Road area of Asaba, shall be a continuous exercise spreading to other areas of Asaba, Okpanam, Ibusa, Okwe, Ugbolu and other settlements in the capital territory.
The statement also emphasized that a seven days’ reminder notice was earlier issued on 2nd of January, 2024, which was sequel to the twenty-one days’ notice earlier issued to residents, landlords and business owners in the capital territory to clean their surroundings which expired on the 18th of November, 2023.
This was followed by street to street, house to house, public sensitization announcement across the major towns in Asaba, Okpanam, Ibusa, Okwe and Ugbolu.In addition, the statement recalled that the Delta State Capital Territory Development Agency on Thursday, November, 30th 2023 embarked on a road show tagged: Secure, Clean and Green Capital Territory in line with the MORE Agenda of His Excellency, Rt Hon. (Elder) Sheriff Oborevwori.
Furthermore, a radio programme themed : “Delta State Capital Territory This Week” was launched in selected radio stations in the state to sensitise and educate residents in the capital territory on environmental sanitation best practices.
The statement further added that five Environmental Mobile Courts have been assigned to the Delta State Capital Territory Development Agency to sit in Asaba, Okpanam/Issele-Azagba, Ibusa, Okwe and Ugbolu respectively and the Agency has done all necessary formalities with all the Magistrates to the five Mobile Courts.
Ukah further stated that the Magistrate at Okpanam Mobile Court will commence prosecution of landlords, occupiers and business owners of premises that contravene the sanitation laws from Wednesday 31st January, 2024.
It also stated that residents and business owners should desist from dumping refuses on the road median as the Agency has put plans in motion to arrest and prosecute anyone caught dropping refuse on the road median within the capital territory and advised residents, traders, business owners, keke drivers and other critical stakeholders to cooperate with the inspection/enforcement teams as it is going to be a continuous exercise.
