Amid rising concerns over flooding, road obstruction and indiscriminate street trading, the Obio/Akpor Local Government Council ‎has intensified enforcement campaign, demolishing unauthorised structures and tackling roadside traders in the council.

It was gathered that the exercise is part‌ of a wider operation aimed at removing illegal structures, clearing drainage channels and curbing indiscriminate refuse disposal in Rumuosi, Rumuokoro, Aluu, Eleme Junction and the Obiri-Ikwerre axis, among other locations in the council.

The enforcement follows recent flooding in Obio/Akpor and Port Harcourt, which displaced residents and damaged properties and businesses. The flooding has been linked, in part, to blocked drainage channels, refuse dumps and structures obstructing waterways.

While the clearing of the Rumuokoro canal has reportedly eased flooding in the area, communities such as Rumuekini, Rumukpoku and Eneka among others are still grappling with floodwaters.

Officials overseeing the removal of the structures and roadside trading activities said the operation was aimed at reclaiming public spaces, improving road access, preventing the obstruction of drainage channels and addressing security concerns associated with structures erected on government property.

The exercise is being carried out under the direction of the Obio/Akpor Local Government Chairman, Dr Gift Worlu.

Chairman of the New Democratic Front in Obio/Akpor and supervisor of the exercise,Obi Amadi,
said a final announcement was made on Friday ahead of the operation.

He said the campaign extended beyond the University of Port Harcourt vicinity, listing Ozuoba, Rumuekpe, Rumuodara, Rumuigbo, Obiri-Ikwerre and Rumuokoro among locations where similar exercises had been conducted. Rumuomasi, Rumuosi, Aluu and Eleme Junction were also identified as areas covered by the wider operation.

The enforcement comes amid concerns over the use of road shoulders, drainage channels and other public spaces for commercial activities, which has restricted movement of motorists, pedestrians and also affected water flow.

“In busy areas, roadside stalls and the display of goods on drainage channels can reduce available road space, contribute to congestion and obstruct the flow of rainwater” he said

Edward Monday, team leader and coordinator of the UniPort Joint Task Force under the Obio-Akpor Government Sanitation Authority, said the council had repeatedly notified occupants of temporary structures erected along roads and on government property to remove them.

He said the demolition followed previous visits to the area, including an inspection on Friday involving the university’s chief security officer, the police area commander and the area police sanitation team.

Monday linked the obstruction of drainage channels by roadside traders to flooding in Port Harcourt, arguing that the use of drains, waterways and canals for trading activities could impede the flow of rainwater.

He said the council was determined to prevent a recurrence of flooding associated with blocked drainage infrastructure.

The task force coordinator also identified traffic congestion around UniPort Junction as one of the problems the operation was intended to address.

Monday similarly described the structures as a potential security risk, arguing that concealed spaces could provide hiding places for criminal suspects.

The council said traders affected by the enforcement could relocate to designated markets rather than occupy roads, drainage channels and university property.

However, the long-term effectiveness of the campaign will depend on sustained monitoring to prevent the return of unauthorised structures after the demolition teams leave.

For residents and motorists in Choba, Rumuosi, Rumuokoro, Aluu, Eleme Junction and the Obiri-Ikwerre axis, the central concern is whether the operation will translate into lasting improvements in road access, traffic flow and clean drainage flow.