Asaba, Nigeria — Authorities in Nigeria’s Delta State have launched a large-scale enforcement operation to remove illegal roadside structures and curb street trading across Asaba, the state capital, in a bid to improve road safety, reduce traffic congestion, and enhance the city’s urban outlook.
The exercise is being carried out by the Delta State Capital Territory Development Agency (DSCTDA) as part of a broader urban renewal and environmental sanitation programme targeting public spaces that have been overtaken by informal trading and makeshift structures.
According to the agency, the operation began last week and is being led by its task force under the directive of the Director-General, Patrick Ukah. Areas affected include major traffic and commercial corridors such as Akpu Junction, Marble Hill Junction, Maryam Babangida Way, Okpanam Road, Nnebisi Road, and the Arcade/Ogbeogonogo Market district, where traders and structures had encroached on road setbacks, pedestrian walkways, and drainage systems.
Speaking on the initiative, Ukah said the cleanup was long overdue, noting that unchecked roadside trading had become a significant safety concern for motorists and pedestrians, while also disrupting traffic flow and undermining environmental standards in the capital.
“The objective is not to target individuals, but to restore order and enforce existing regulations that protect lives, public infrastructure, and the city’s image,” he said, adding that the agency would no longer tolerate activities that obstruct roads or deface public spaces.
He urged affected traders to relocate to government-designated markets, warning that the enforcement would be sustained and extended to other parts of the city if violations persist.
In addition to dismantling illegal structures, DSCTDA has intensified routine street sweeping and sanitation along major road corridors, particularly around the Mammy Market and Traffic Light axis, in an effort to maintain cleanliness and prevent a resurgence of informal roadside activities.
The sanitation exercise is being supervised by the agency’s Head of Environment, Isaac Nwosu, who said monitoring teams have been deployed to ensure compliance and preserve the gains of the operation. He also called on residents and commuters to support the effort by adhering to environmental regulations and maintaining clean surroundings.
Ukah reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to building a clean, safe, and orderly capital, describing a well-planned Asaba as critical to Delta State’s long-term development, investment appeal, and public safety.
