By Ngozi Oji
The Delta State Government has ordered the immediate stoppage of illegal trading at PTI Junction, Effurun, following complaints from Julius Berger Nigeria Plc that trading activities under and beside the Effurun flyover were disrupting construction work.
To enforce the directive, a joint taskforce of Uvwie Local Government Council and the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, on Tuesday barricaded areas where illegal trading was taking place.
The Warri/Effurun Roads and Flyovers project, approved in September 2023 and awarded to Julius Berger, is one of Delta state most ambitious urban infrastructure initiatives aimed at easing traffic congestion and modernizing major corridors across the Effurun/Warri axis.
According to the state government, the PTI Flyover is approaching its final stage with only a few structural components and finishing works remaining.
However, Julius Berger reported that illegal trading under and beside the flyover was hindering progress.
Following the complaint, Uvwie Council Chairman, Chief Anthony Ofoni, mobilized the council’s Environmental Taskforce, Health Department officers, Delta State Environmental Taskforce, NURTW officials and security personnel to PTI Junction to stop the illegal trading.
The Uvwie council Boss directed Keke riders to park in designated areas to avoid traffic .
Chief Ofoni said health officers and the environmental taskforce will be stationed at the site for the next two weeks to ensure compliance.
He added that a standby mobile court will begin sitting by Thursday to prosecute defaulters.
Chairman of National Union of Road Transport Workers,NURTW Delta State council Chief Francis Ariyoh will also set up a taskforce to work with the council’s team to prevent further illegal trading under and beside the flyover, according to the chairman.
Chairman of Uvwie Environmental Taskforce,Mr Collins Ighrakpata, noted that traders were defacing the flyover with debris and waste, leaving the environment unkept.
The joint team has since barricaded the areas under and beside the flyover where illegal trading was ongoing.
The near completion of the Warri/Effurun flyover project is regarded as a major milestone in Governor Oborevwori’s administration development agenda.
