Delta govt bans illegal mining over environmental degradation

Delta State Government has banned illegal mining at Ugbolu Heights in Ugbolu Community of Oshimili North Local Government Area, and other parts of the State.

Charles Aniagwu, Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, who disclosed this at a press briefing in Asaba, Monday, said the ban was due to the environmental degradation in the affected areas.

He said all the people digging and destroying the landscape of Ugbolu Heights should desist from doing so or risk arrest.

Reacting to a recent comment made by Ovie Omo-Agege, the immediate past Senate Deputy President that “nothing is happening in Delta State, Aniagwu reiterated the Oborevwori-led administration’s resolve to reply opposition with projects. He warned the critics against misinforming Deltans.

“Oborevwori has continued to reply critics with verifiable projects in the health, education, road, agriculture sectors and many other areas including human capital development which cuts across the three senatorial districts.

“Starting from the Southern Senatorial District, in Isoko South, we have a good number of roads that we are constructing and in Isoko North we have the Southern Delta University located in Ozoro and you can see the amount of structures we are building there.

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“We have also continued efforts to ensure that the Technical College in Irri is completed in good time. The College of Health Technology, Ovrode if you go there now you see the speed at which we are going on with that project.

“The Ughelli-Asaba road which cuts across the three senatorial districts is also receiving serious attention and in Patani, we are working on Uduophori road, Schools, Water projects are ongoing and if you move from there towards Bomadi, you will see that the Ohoror – Bomadi road which is about 47km is ongoing.

“In our last EXCO meeting we also approved the Bomadi-Gbaregolor road of 18.6km, in Burutu, we have the Okontu – Ogulaha Road 12.5km being reconstructed.

“In Warri South-West we have Benikrukru internal roads, Okerenkoko internal roads, Okerenkoko, Kokodiagbene pepeama road.

“If you proceed to Warri North, the Ogbudugbudu – Ogbeinbiri Road is being worked on. The Trans Warri – Ode-Itsekiri road and bridges are ongoing and we have put the contract under ISPO which means we will be paying the contractor over a billion naira every month to enable the contractor complete the project on time.

“We have also completed a number of roads in Warri South including the Upper and Lower Erejuwa Road, Esisi Road, the Omadino Technical College is also almost completed and we will soon admit students into the school.”