Ocha Brigade Finally Winning War Against Street Trading, Grid Lock in Onitsha
By Polycarp Ifeanyi, Onitsha
Motorists and pedestrians in Onitsha Anambra State can now move freely as Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra (Ocha Brigade) Agency have chased away street traders who create obstructions along roadsides
Although, there are still some unrepentant street traders who have continued to perch on the main road to monitor when Ocha brigade will leave the road so that they could display their wares while others have resorted to come out late in the evening period when Ocha brigade must have retired for the day’s work.
However, the presence of Ocha Brigade on the streets and major roads have scared away street traders and improved movement of motorists and pedestrians who are doing their normal daily businesses as well as curtailed rampant disposal of wastes on the drainage channels.
Commending the duties of Ocha Brigade, High Chief Okenna Joseph who lives at Borromeo round about, Onitsha said that the initiative of Anambra State Government to inaugurate Ocha brigade as among the enforcers of environmental law is superb.
He specifically lauded the effort of the coordinator of Ocha brigade in the area, Mr. Ejike Odife for being proactive in his duty, saying that people could now move freely into the Market and source items without unnecessary stress as a result of obstructions created by street traders.
“Infact, there is a clear indication that we have new Anambra in this regime of Professor Soludo. I am impressed that many things have taken good shape especially in the area of dumping wastes indiscriminately, open defecation and Street trading. Yes, we can not remain lawlessness. This agency called Ocha bridge should be commended” Said Okenna.
Similarly, a tricycle operator popularly known as Keke Nappep who could not mention his name expressed that he can go as many trips as he can since roads are free from incessant gridlock caused by roadside traders.
Equally speaking, a food stuff dealer, Mrs. Ify Chimereze hinted that street traders were the people who are constituting obstructions in the main roads by using their goods to block roads as well as litters the environment with debris and unwarranted materials.
In the same vein, a barrow pusher, master Ikenna Chukwuemeka testified that he makes huge amount of money daily since street traders have vacated roads where they load and unload their customers goods.
Confirming the testimonies from the people, the Ocha Brigade unit coordinator in charge of Borromeo round about, Upper Iweka axis to Niger Bridge, Ogbaru LG and Onitsha Owerri Road, Mr Ejike Odife said that Anambra State must be sanitized in all sectors.
He frowned on the attitude of some high profile persons especially indigenes of Anambra State who are coming for their friends or relations when they caught defiling environmental order, saying that they are indirectly sabotaging Ocha Brigade duties.
He noted that all hands should be on deck to support Sustainable Clean Green Initiative program of Anambra State Government, warning that people should not come to impose themselves to Ocha brigade for any reason.
” Anambra should not be exceptional from other states. We must make it a liveable state and ensuring that we support and encourage our Governor, Professor Charles Soludo in his transformation agenda. I equally salute my dynamic director, Chief Celestine Anere who always work round the clock to ensure that Ocha brigade agency are well informed.
