The Bayelsa State Environmental Sanitation Board began the demolition of illegal structures along the only highway that leads into the state capital.According to the officials, the structures are not befitting of a state capital but the owners have been venting their anger and pleading for more time to move their wares. They also said the traders and other occupants of the structures had been given an order to vacate the area since January, but they did not obey it.

Chairman of the Sanitation Authority, Robert Enogha, “In January this year, we started marking (the structures). Then from April, we started giving abatement notices. Conscious of the fact that things are hard, (and) relocation is also very hard, we gave that grace and I think the grace is overwhelming us. This is September already we have entered the ‘ember months. Conscious of the fact that things are hard, (and) relocation is also very hard, we gave that grace and I think the grace is overwhelming us. This is September already we have entered the ‘ember months’ he said,

According to the demolition team, the structures are defacing the Bayelsa State capital and can as well be a hideout for criminals.

​​​