Over 500 persons displaced as Delta demolishes illegal structures

By FESTUS AHON, Ughelli
THE Delta State Government, Thursday demolished all illegal structures opposite the State Police headquarters, Asaba, displacing over 500 persons that were using the structures for residential and business purposes.
Speaking during the demolition exercise, the State Commissioner for Lands, Survey and Urban Development, Mr. Patrick Ferife said the demolition was in pursuant of the State Government’s agenda of infrastructural development.
Charging Deltans to adhere to the state’s master plan, he stressed the need for the people of the State to always obtain the Certificate of Occupancy for their landed property.
Ferife said: “Asaba, the state capital has a master plan which property developers must comply with especially the core area in the state.My ministry will not relent in the demolition of illegal structures in the state capital.
“The incessant appearance of these structures coupled with the activities carried out in these core areas of the state are seriously undermining and defacing the beauty of the state capital.”
He said occupants of the demolished structures had earlier been notified by the Ministry, saying; “today’s action is due to  non-compliance with our notice.”