A socio-political pressure group, Anioma Voice, is set to institute legal action against the Delta State government over its failure to protect the citizens of the state. Speaking to a cross section of stakeholders over the weekend, the Chief Convener of the group, Comrade Akamesike Emmanuel Okonne stated that this decision was reached at an emergency executive meeting of the group, that by not tackling the dangers posed to pedestrians and motorists in the capital city Asaba, by the many uncovered drainage holes littering most major roads, the state government is failing in its primary duty of protection of lives and property of her citizens.

In a statement signed on behalf of the group by Comrades Okonne, Roderick Okolie, Joseph Ugoh and Chibuzor Elunor, the group called on the state government to commence as a matter of urgency, the covering of the drainages as they pose a risk to the safety of citizens (especially pedestrians) residing in the state capital. The group insists that by allowing the drains to deteriorate to the point they are at present, the state government is showing that social responsibility and protection of lives and property, is not on its agenda. Any government that has the interest of her citizens at heart will not wait for catastrophic accidents to occur before swinging into action.

The group said that it understands the financial situation in the country, but made it clear that this should not be a reason for the state government to abandon its responsibility to her citizens.

To this end, the group said it is giving the state government through the Ministry of Environment till the end of this year to commence action on the raised concerns as failure to do so will lead to legal actions against the state on behalf of citizens of the state.