The Asagba of Asaba, Prof. Epiphany Azinge, has raised fresh security concerns over the growing occupation of the Koka Flyover by unidentified persons, warning that the Asaba Palace may take over the management of the facility if government agencies fail to act.
The monarch issued the warning after inspecting the underside of the flyover during the monthly environmental sanitation exercise in Asaba.
During the visit, he found several young men occupying the area, while heaps of refuse and offensive odours littered the environment.
Expressing concern over the development, Azinge said the continued use of the flyover as a shelter by people of unknown identity could encourage criminal activities and threaten the security of residents.
“In recent times, we have seen that a lot of miscreants find this place as their abode. They sleep and wake up here, and only God knows what they do. These are issues that border on crime and criminality,” he said.
The monarch said the Palace had expected the relevant government agencies to address the situation but regretted that nothing had been done.
According to him, the Palace decided to inspect the area to draw public attention to the growing problem and encourage immediate action.
“We have waited for the appropriate agencies to intervene, but we have waited in vain. If the only thing we achieve today is drawing their attention to this problem, then we have done our duty,” he said.
Azinge warned that if the situation was allowed to continue, it could become a major security threat to Asaba.
He said the Palace was prepared to step in and take charge of the facility if the responsible authorities failed to act.
“The Ani Asagba have assured that something will be done to ensure we take full control of this place,” he added.
The monarch also expressed disappointment over poor environmental sanitation in parts of Asaba, blaming the situation on the failure of institutions responsible for keeping the city clean.
He said the Palace had already mobilised workers to clear blocked drains and improve sanitation in some areas.
“We will continue to do everything within our power to ensure Asaba remains peaceful, clean and habitable for both indigenes and non-indigenes,” he said.
Azinge maintained that although maintaining public facilities was not the responsibility of the Palace, the community could not continue to suffer because of the failure of government agencies.
His comments come weeks after the Delta State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists and the Forum of Delta State NGOs separately expressed concern over the increasing number of unidentified persons occupying the area beneath the Koka Flyover, describing the development as a security risk and calling for urgent government intervention.
