By Polycarp Ifeanyi, Onitsha
In his continued bid to ensure clean and healthy environment especially at Upper Iweka, Onitsha axis, the unit coordinator for Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra ( Ocha Brigade) in Onitsha, Mr Ejike Odife has reminded inhabitants of Onitsha metropolis that arrest and prosecution await those who are breaching the health and safety law in the state.
He further warned those he referred to as doubting Thomas that if anybody was eventually apprehended dumping wastes indiscriminately or inside gutters, trading along major roads or on top of gutters and defecating in open place, that such a person must be arrested and prosecuted.
He equally advised Anambra state neighboring states and visitors to the state to always be cautious and inquire about any designated public conveniences where they could defecate or pass urine and not in the open place, even as he warned that ignorance of law should not be an excuse.
Odife who coordinates Borromeo Roundabout, Upper Iweka, Niger Bridge-head, Ogbaru local government area and Onitsha-Owerri Road further told journalists in Onitsha that the warning was necessary in order to keep the general public mostly road users abreast of the existing law and how they should abstain from being victims.
“Some people are doubting what they hear about us while others think that after apprehending defaulters, we collect fine from them and set them free. There is no way defaulters should go scot-free, such a person must be charged to our mobile court where the penalty should be appropriately determined, no matter who is involved. Everybody is treated according to the specified law.
” So, Ocha Brigade activities are fully empowered by Anambra state environmental health law and our mandate is to enforce it and recover our state from dirty and environmental hazard. It is no more business as usual in Anambra state. Everybody should rather comply to maintain law and order.
“I’m grateful to our Governor, Professor Charles Soludo who has transformed our state within twenty four months and has rescued the state from lawlessness and environmental degradation.
“I must also commend the tireless efforts of my director, Chief Celestine Anere who is committed to ensure that Ocha Brigade lives up to expectations in their duties. May God continue to guide and protect him,”Odife concluded.
