The Delta State Capital Territory Development Agency (DSCTDA) has commenced a targeted intervention cleanup operation at the Koka Bridge axis in Asaba, the state capital, as part of its renewed drive to maintain environmental cleanliness, public health, and urban aesthetics in the metropolis.
The exercise, which began on Tuesday, February 18, 2026, was executed by the Environment Unit of the Agency and focused on removing indiscriminately dumped refuse, human faeces, sand deposits, and other solid waste that had accumulated beneath and around the bridge structure. The buildup had turned the area into an eyesore and potential health hazard, especially during the rainy season when stagnant water and waste could breed disease vectors.
The cleanup team was led on-site by Mr. Isaac Nwosu, Head of the Environment Unit of DSCTDA, who personally supervised the operation to ensure thorough removal of all identified environmental nuisances. Workers used shovels, wheelbarrows, heavy-duty bags, and light machinery to evacuate the waste, which was promptly transported to designated dumpsites outside the city centre.
Speaking shortly after the first day of the exercise, the Director-General of DSCTDA, Mr. Patrick Ukah, described the intervention as a direct response to persistent complaints from residents, motorists, and commuters who use the busy Koka Bridge corridor daily.
“This is part of our core mandate to keep Asaba clean, orderly, and environmentally friendly,” Mr. Ukah stated. “We are not waiting for complaints to pile up before acting. The indiscriminate dumping of waste and sand around bridges and major drainages not only defaces our capital but also poses serious risks to public health and road safety. We are determined to restore sanity to this axis and ensure it remains a model of cleanliness.”
The Director-General confirmed that the cleanup will continue on Thursday, February 19, 2026, with a second phase focused on the evacuation of large sand deposits and further desilting of drainage channels beneath the bridge. He appealed to residents, traders, commercial motorcyclists (okada riders), and other road users to support the Agency’s efforts by desisting from dumping refuse along the bridge or into nearby gutters.
“Maintaining a clean capital territory is a collective responsibility,” Mr. Ukah emphasized. “We urge everyone to embrace proper sanitation habits—use designated waste bins, avoid open defecation, and report illegal dumpers. When we all play our part, Asaba becomes a healthier and more attractive place for everyone.”
The Koka Bridge cleanup is the latest in a series of proactive environmental interventions by DSCTDA under the leadership of Mr. Ukah. In recent months, the Agency has carried out similar operations at major flashpoints across Asaba, including the Interbau Junction, Okpanam Road corridors, DBS Junction, and various drainage channels prone to siltation and illegal waste dumping.
These exercises form part of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s broader agenda to restore order, improve urban livability, and enhance the aesthetic appeal of the Delta State capital. The administration has repeatedly stressed that a clean and well-maintained environment is essential for attracting investment, boosting tourism, and ensuring the well-being of residents.
Environmental health experts have long warned that indiscriminate waste dumping around bridges and waterways in Asaba contributes to flooding, blocked drains, foul odours, and the spread of waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and malaria. The Agency’s intervention at Koka Bridge is therefore seen as both a reactive measure to an existing problem and a preventive step to safeguard public health ahead of the rainy season.
DSCTDA officials have indicated that the cleanup operation at Koka Bridge is not a one-off event. The Agency plans to sustain regular monitoring of the area and enforce anti-dumping regulations more rigorously, including possible sanctions for repeat offenders.
Residents and commuters who witnessed the exercise on Tuesday expressed appreciation for the Agency’s swift response. Many described the pre-cleanup state of the bridge as “unacceptable” and praised the workers for their diligence.
As the second phase of the cleanup begins tomorrow, DSCTDA has reiterated its commitment to ensuring a cleaner, greener, and more orderly Asaba. The Agency has called on corporate organizations, community development associations, and youth groups to partner with it in sustaining the gains of the intervention through advocacy, volunteer cleanups, and public education on proper waste management.
The Koka Bridge cleanup initiative underscores the Delta State Government’s determination to tackle environmental degradation head-on and transform the capital territory into a benchmark for urban sanitation and civility in the Niger Delta region.
