CDHR Seeks Collaboration With Delta Govt To Protect New Warri, Dsc, Pti, Effurun, Enerhen, Ughelli Projects From Vandals

The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), Delta State Branch, has expressed its readiness to collaborate with the Delta State Government to protect newly constructed and ongoing public infrastructure across the state from vandalism, abuse and misuse.

The group urged the administration of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to urgently put in place a comprehensive protection framework for major infrastructure projects, particularly those located around Warri, DSC, PTI, Effurun, Enerhen and Ughelli.

This was contained in a statement signed by the CDHR Delta State Chairman, Comr. Derrick O. Agberen, and Publicity Secretary, Comr. Nosa Oveseey Godswill, on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, copies of which were made available to newsmen in Warri, Delta State.

CDHR said its call was not merely a criticism of government but an offer of collaboration aimed at ensuring that the huge public investments being made in infrastructure are protected and preserved for the benefit of present and future generations.

The organisation commended Governor Oborevwori's administration for its ongoing infrastructure drive but warned that newly completed projects could become vulnerable to vandals and illegal scrap scavengers if adequate security, maintenance and community ownership mechanisms are not established.

According to CDHR, successive governments have invested substantial public resources in infrastructure, only for some projects to suffer neglect, vandalism and deterioration after completion.

The group said Delta State must avoid repeating such a cycle, insisting that construction should be followed by protection, maintenance and effective monitoring.

It therefore called for regular security patrols around strategic project locations, particularly the DSC, PTI, Effurun, Enerhen and Ughelli corridors, to deter vandalism and other forms of abuse.

CDHR also proposed the establishment of an Infrastructure Protection Task Force, involving relevant government agencies, security authorities and community stakeholders, to monitor public facilities and tackle illegal scrap activities.

The rights group further called for stronger collaboration between government and communities, urging the inclusion of traditional leaders, youth organisations, Community Development Associations and other stakeholders in the protection of public infrastructure.

It said communities should regard the new roads, junctions and related facilities as their own assets, with a collective responsibility to protect them.

CDHR also advocated sustained street lighting, routine maintenance and environmental cleanliness around the projects, stressing that well-maintained and properly monitored infrastructure would be less vulnerable to criminal activities.

CDHR appealed to Governor Oborevwori to make infrastructure protection and maintenance an integral part of the state's development agenda.

The organisation stressed that preventing vandalism would cost the government far less than repairing or reconstructing damaged public facilities.

It also called on residents to reject vandalism and promptly report suspicious activities around public infrastructure.

“These roads, junctions and other public facilities belong to the people. They must be protected by the people and the government.”

The group maintained that building infrastructure is only the beginning, noting that effective protection, maintenance and responsible community ownership are necessary to preserve public investments.

CDHR therefore reaffirmed its willingness to work with the Delta State Government and other stakeholders to safeguard the state's new infrastructure.

“Let us secure what we have built,” the organisation said.