BY JOEL GRANDBALL/UGHELLI

PRESIDENT-GENERAL of Otovwodo- Ughelli community, in Ughelli North Local Government Area, Pastor Ovigue Ugbarugba has denied the allegation that his executive is in support of street trading at the Otovwodo community market.

Ugbarugba was reacting to an allegation reportedly made by the Chairman of Ughelli North Local Government Area that the community leaders were behind the traders along the roadsides at Otovwodo market.

Ugbarugba, who condemned street trading in the area, said trading on the roadsides and walkways was risky and not acceptable to the leadership of the community.

Ugbarugba while speaking to newsmen recently, assured of the community’s support in ensuring that the chairman’s order against street trading was not flouted by the occupants of the market. It would be recalled that the council chairman, had in an interview said “we gave them notice to stop street trading, and that was three months ago, but the traders remained adamant.”

He added “Anytime we give them such notices, the community will tell them to go ahead with such street trading”, but Ugbaruba said he had never done such a thing.

Pastor Ovigue Ugbarugba said “If you can recall, my administration as PG inaugurated nine committees in Otovwodo and one of the committees was to look into the activities of traders and find a lasting solution to street trading.

“And in one address I presented during our meetings, the community commended Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for de-congesting the Otovwodo junction with the construction of the ring road that eased traffic flow.

“In that same address, we appealed to the council chairman to ensure a facelift of the Otovwodo market, so as to move the traders away from the roadside.”

“I want to appeal to the government to give a timeframe of about three months in finding a lasting solution, as continuously chasing them away is not the permanent solution.”

“The community has an expanse of land behind shop fair that can accommodate over 400 traders. That place should be developed so as to move the traders there.

“It is annoying when you see these people with their goods by the roadsides, it is very risky as a lot of vehicles that ply the road.

“Recently, while trying to direct traders in the market to leave the road, I lost my mobile phone in the process and if the council chairman asais that I have asked the traders to flout his orders, why did I go out to meet the traders.

“My expectations from the local government chairman is to make provisions and have a timeline for executing his actions but there are no such provisions yet for the Otovwodo market traders.

Pastor Ugbarugba appealed to the government to help construct an access road to the space provided by the community at Okogbe street to link the major road and also construct concrete slabs at the carnal to open up the market and accommodate all those trading on the roadsides and walkways.

Co-operate With Contractors, Clark Urges Riverine Communities

WARRI

BY IFEANYI OMENOGOR

IN continuation of his tour of riverine communities, the Commissioner, Direc­torate of Riverine Infrastruc­ture Development, Chief Ebikeme Clark has visited Warri South Local Govern­ment Area, with a call on the people to give maximum support to the contractors that would handle projects in the area.

While saying that he was joining his people in the riverine communities where he is from to appreciate the State Governor, the Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori for creating the directorate to address the needs of the people, he said riverine communities will continue to support Governor Oborevwori’s administration to enable him achieve his MORE Agenda in the state.

Clark said the directorate was emboldened by the excite­ment with which the people welcomed the creation of the directorate, as well as the courage, vision and full support of the State Governor to adopt a bottom up approach to project implementation, which necessitated the meeting with vari­ous stakeholders.

The commissioner noted that the cost of executing projects in the riverine communities is over three times the cost of executing same projects elsewhere, adding that the task of developing the riverine communities is a very daunting one, hence projects will be subject to avail­ability of funds.

He urged the people to continue to give unalloyed sup­port to the Governor to ensure more developments in the riverine Communities and the state in general.

The Chairman of Warri South Local Government Area, Hon. Isaac Agbateyiniro, in his address, described Gover­nor Sheriff Oborevwori as a great politician and leader with the interest of riverine communities at heart.

He said creating the Directorate of Riverine Infrastruc­ture Development (DRID) was the best thing to happen to the riverine communities, saying that it was unprec­edented.

The council boss said riverine communities will continue to be grateful to Governor Oborevwori and would equally support him hundred percent come 2027 election.

He thanked Governor Oborevwori for appointing their son, Chief Ebikeme Clark, as pioneer commissioner of the directorate, describing him as round peg in a round hole having a vast knowledge of the riverine communities.

The commissioner and his team also paid a courtesy call on the Olu of Warri, His Royal Majesty, Ogiame Atuwatse III, where he briefed the royal father on the good inten­tions of the State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori on creating the Directorate of Riverine Infrastructure De­velopment (DRID).

Responding, the royal father commended Governor Oborevwori for creating the directorate, saying it was long overdue and will cater to the needs of the riverine areas.