The Warri Area Command of the Nigerian Police has been urged to support the Warri, Uvwie and Environs Special Area Development Agency, WUEDA towards ensuring strict compliance with environmental laws in the City, in line with its terms of reference.
The Director General of the Agency, Hon. Prince Godwin Ejinyere gave the charge in Warri recently when he led the operational and Management staffs of WUEDA on a courtesy visit to the Warri Area Commander, ACP Bashir Abubakar in his office.
Prince Ejinyere said the visit was for him to extend a hand of fellowship to the Police Force by intimating the Area Commander with WUEDA’s aim and specific objectives based on government’s policy for the Oil City.
Hon. Ejinyere said the interest of the Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff F. O. Oborevwori is not just to restore the lost glory of the Oil City of Warri, Uvwie and the environs but also to improve upon it. Commending his predecessor for his efforts in the past, Prince Ejinyere said he would build upon the development so far recorded by the Agency.
“Thank God the Governor hails from this part of the State and he is very desirous to see that Warri, Uvwie metropolis is given the long awaited facelift; the entire area is defaced due to indiscriminate dumping of refuse, blocking the drains which leads to flooding over the years. So we are partnering with the Police to reduce insecurity occasioned by the rising spate of crime, social vices, violence and extortion of money from residents by unscrupulous elements in the Oil City,” he asserted.
He informed the Warri Area Commander that WUEDA’s jingles were already on air to sensitize the public on what the Agency is out to do, and also to let the people know and understand that it is no more business as usual, as there will be punitive measures to ensure total compliance. He emphasized that the Police and the Agency need to collaborate as development partners towards ensuring that the MORE Agenda of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori is achieved to the letter.
Prince Ejinyere said the Agency was established by the Delta State Government with the mandate to comprehensively develop Warri, Effurun and the Environs to make the City a beauty to behold. While commending the State Governor for his strong desire to develop Warri, Uvwie twin cities in every aspect, he said the Agency has the mandate to develop, clean up and beautify the City; stop indiscriminate dumping of refuse into drains to prevent flood disasters; stop illegal motor and keke parks for easy flow of traffic; sanitize market places, and partner with the Police in order to ensure orderliness in the metropolis.
He said WUEDA had been carrying out sensitization of residents on television and radio to enlighten the public about the new narrative, that everybody must do the right thing and that offenders will be punished. He said after reaching out to the Royal Fathers and Local Govt Chairmen, it was important to visit Warri Area Command for collaboration, and solicited the cooperation of the Warri Area Commander for best results.
Reacting to the issues raised, the Area Commander, ACP Bashir Abubakar noted that it was the first time that a large number of Management and operational staffs of a Govt Agency visited him in his office. The ACP then appreciated the DG and his entourage for the visit.
Commending the Governor for directing efforts at Warri Oil City to restore its lost glory by awarding and executing several projects in the City, the Warri Area Commander cited the ongoing drainage projects as vivid examples of the State Govt’s efforts at rebuilding the Oil City.
Mr. Abubakar appreciated the Director General for enlightening him on the tasks and targets of the Agency, adding that the Police had been doing its utmost best to provide security, and sanitize the City. He promised that the Area Command would support WUEDA, and enjoined the Agency to always call on him for swift responses.
In another development, Hon. Ejinyere visited the site of the storm water drainage project being handled by Levant Construction Ltd at Upper Erejuwa Road by Okere Road Warri same day, to ascertain the level of work done so far. The WUEDA DG said the inspection re-visit was to ensure that the project was not obstructed by any issue so that it can be completed and delivered in record time.
In his desire to ensure that government projects are not stopped or delayed for any reason, Prince Ejinyere said he would dialogue with aggrieved persons on the way forward over issues of land encroachment, so that the contractor can complete the project next month as stipulated.
The Agency’s Director of Administration and Finance, Mr. Simon Esi, the Director of Projects, Engr. Bemigho Ofoeyeno, and the Director of Investment, Mr. Kingdom Apih, were among the WUEDA staff that accompanied Hon. Ejinyere on the two visits.
