The Rivers State government has warned operators and occupants of an illegal dumpsite located in a residential and industrial area along Danjuma drive off Peter Odili road in Port Harcourt.

The government gave them a 7-day ultimatum to vacate the premises or face forced eviction.

Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Evans Bipi, gave the order during an on-the-spot visit to the area, accompanied by the enforcement team of the Ministry.

Bipi condemned the use of the large hectares of private land as a dumpsite, emphasising that it poses significant environmental and health risks to the surrounding community.

“Operating such a dumpsite in a residential and an industrial area portends grave environmental and health risk,” Bipi said.

He also expressed dismay at the conversion of the area into a slum accommodation, complete with shanties and illegal structures.

“I wonder why the property owner would allow such illegal activities in his property in an area designated as a residential and industrial zone,” he added.

Chairman of the Special Committee on Development Control of the Ministry, David Ogbanga, echoed Bipi’s concerns, stating that the existence of such slums hinders the Ministry’s efforts to promote sustainable urban development in line with the United Nations Goals on Sustainable Development.

“Besides its negative impact on urbanisation, slums act as a breeding ground for miscreants and promotion of social vices,” Ogbanga said.

Ogbanga also decried the pollution caused by the dumpsite, saying “the pollution of the environment as a result of activities of the operators of the illegal dumpsite and the slum dwellers is unacceptable.”

He vowed that the Enforcement Team will take a tough stance on slum dwellers and operators of unauthorised dumpsites in Port Harcourt and its environs.

“In the coming days, the Enforcement Team will go tough on slum dwellers and operators of such unauthorised dumpsite in Port Harcourt and its environs,” he warned.