…urges Local Government Councils to enforce compliance on illegal dumping of waste
The Chairman of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, Hon. John Obukokwho Nani has called on the Local Government Councils to enforce compliance on illegal dumping of refuse on water channels in the State.
He made this call while addressing the media during an inspection tour of the ongoing de-silting work by DESOPADEC at Okere/Esisi road canal today Friday July 25, 2025 in Warri, Warri South Local Government Area.
Nani said that it is the primary duty of the Local Government Councils to take charge of environmental matters and that DESOPADEC is only lending a helping hand as directed by His Excellency Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, the Governor of Delta State, saying that the Local Government Councils should as a matter of urgency, enforce compliance on the deliberate erection of structures and dumping of refuse in water channels.
“My advice is that the people around this area should jealously guard this water way, devoid of deliberate dumping of waste inside because it is the waste that is blocking the water channels. We can see the massive refuse and debris been evacuated by the contractor.
“I want to also use this opportunity to appeal to the Local Government Councils to intensify actions in any way possible to arrest the unwholesome activity of dumping waste inside canals,” he added.
The supervisory Counselor, Warri South Local Government Area, Hon. Femi Okorodidien however affirmed that the Council was in a process of evacuating the canal before the intervention by DESOPADEC, noting that several efforts had been made to reduce the deliberate act of environmental degradation in Warri South Local Government Area but for the actions of some people who always at the wee hours of the night, dump refuse in the canal.
“A few weeks ago, the Local Government Chairman, Hon. Weyimi Agbatewenyimi, had approved the clearing and desilting of this canal before this intervention by DESOPADEC. We are very thankful to the Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori and the Board of DESOPADEC for this proactive intervention,” he said.
Also the HOD, Environmental Health Department, Warri South Local Government Area, Sanitarian Stella Nde commended DESOPADEC for the massive clearing and evacuation of the canal, saying that the Council has been doing its best to discourage people from dumping refuse in the canal but for the adamant ones. They have made arrests and prosecuted many offenders.
Meanwhile, massive evacuation of waste and debris was ongoing as a pay loader and swamp buggy were busy desilting the waste from the canal.
Below are photos from the ongoing exercise.
