Reptiles are gradually taking over major roundabouts that beautify the metropolitan city of Ughelli North due to lack of maintenance by the environmental department in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State.
Five major roundabouts overgrown by weeds awaiting reptile invasion are at the heartbeat of Ughelli.
Below is NNPC Roundabout as at December 31,2024.
These roundabouts are, Makolomi, NNPC, Egor, St Theresa and another inside Ekiugbo Community while the destruction of the AGGS.
As at December, 2024, these theater of beauty known to bring out beautiful colors during Christmas and New Year periods due to decorations,has been abandoned only to be occupied by reptiles.
Previous administrations in Ughelli North, took the beautification and decorations of the nine roundabouts in the Metropolis as a point of duty and reference where visitors take pride in snapping photos and organizes mini celebration to add beauty and receptability of Ughelli people.
Makolomi Roundabout as at December 31,2024. Below
Aside concreting and painting of Ovie palace, the failing AGGS, Post Office and Okorodafe roundabouts, the other five are eyesore.
Maintenance of public spots like roundabouts are primary duties of any local government Environmental Department headed by HOD and probably supervised the council chairman or Supervisory Councilor for Environment.
Egor Roundabout as at December 31,2024. below
The alleged idleness of the recently appointed Supervisory Councilor and HoD Environment in Ughelli North, may have led to the unkempt nature of Ughelli North major metropolitan roundabouts or due to lack of release of fund to carry out their cleanup.
A resident in Ughelli North, Mr Malcolm Ufuoma who spoke to our correspondents lamented the lack of maintenance of the roundabouts before and after the yuletide.
St. Theresa Roundabout as at December 31,2024. Below
Ufuoma said, “This is the first time, major roundabouts in Ughelli seen in dirt during Christmas and New Year period in the last 7 years and it calls for a concern.
“The immediate past chairmen of Ughelli North had always make sure that all the roundabouts in Ughelli are light up during Christmas time and cleaned but in this case we don’t know what is happening.
Below is Ekiugbo Community
Ekiugbo Community Roundabout as at December 31,2024.below
But we are surprised to see that our current council chairman who emphasized on cleanliness during his campaign could allow the roundabouts to be overgrown by grass.
“For the past six months, he has emphatically embarked on daily sanitation, and a fast food joint was sealed in Agbarho community because of its alleged dirty environment while our roundabouts are inhabited by reptiles.
“We are appealing for him to look inward and clean up the roundabouts to bring the beautification glory of Ughelli as the headquarters of Ughelli North Local Government Area.”
Efforts to contact the Ughelli North Supervisory Councilor for Environment and Beautification Hon Lucky Oborayiruvbe was not successful as calls his line were not connected.
“But a political leader who responded said, “The council chairman cannot be here and there at all time and that is why he appointed Supervisory Councilors to stand the gap.
“But now you have brought this to our notice, we will meet with him and do the needful, the facts remain that,the roundabouts were not properly maintained but in this 2025, the people of Ughelli North and visitors will see the difference “
