*Residents cry to Soludo to return Ocha Brigade to duty
By Polycarp Ifeanyi, Onitsha
As a result of open defecation, unauthorized urination and indiscriminate refuse disposal, residents of Onitsha metropolis, pedestrians, motorists have appealed to the Governor of Anambra State, Professor Charles Soludo to return the Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra (Ocha Brigade) agency to continue their environmental duty.
They residents in their separate remarks equally appealed to the Managing Director of Ocha Brigade, Chief Celestine Anere to ensure that he dispatches his men on the road especially Upper Iweka axis and Ogbogwu Bridge head market express way as soon as possible in other to safe lives of innocent citizens.
Some persons including commercial drivers, motor park managers, hawkers and wheel barrow pushers who spoke with newsmen in Onitsha said that they are living in the mercy of God, reiterating that if nothing is urgently done to return Ocha Brigade to duty, many people will face terrible sicknesses, adding that epidemic diseases might occur in a near future.
Mrs Feliccia Nwkaego Eze said: “We are dying here again. Customers are no longer patronizing me due to offensive odours caused by human faeces and urination. What it means is that people are waiting opportunity for Ocha Brigade to vacate from road so that they continue what they have been doing. But, if you go to other States these environmental enforcers are working. Why is Anambra a different State?” She queried.
“Oga, I am a vulcaniziner here. I cannot stand here a minute to do my work due to stinking odours from urination. The worst is human faeces. I don’t know if people don’t have toilet in their houses. We are beging Soludo to return Ocha Brigade. I love the work of Ocha Brigade. I cannot tell you lies. I am 62 years of age and I know what is good and bad, ” Mr Hycienth Uwadikaonye said.
“Nobody should dictate to Soludo how he runs this State. I cannot imagine why he should succumb to pressure and remove men of Ocha Brigade on the road ? This agency has sanitized Onitsha, “Mrs Uchenna Nneoma added.
“Just go to Bridge Head Market along Ogbogwu Market, go to MCC, go to Upper Iweka, go to Onitsha Owerri road and other places, you cannot stand in one corner for a minute either to answer a call or wait for vehicle. Everywhere is smelling. I am a motor park manager here. I know what I am saying. Let Soludo return this Ocha Brigade and stop listening to opposition, “Patrick Enwezue also said.
“We need Ocha Brigade agency to return to their duties so that we can breath in here. I know very well that Ocha Brigade are not caring gun. Is it not this Ocha Brigade we used to see everyday? That killing at Main Market do not concern Ocha Brigade. Let them investigate well. It was sponsored by Soludo’s opposition, “Philip Nwabueze suggested.
“What is the offence of Ocha Brigade in the first place ? They are not using gun. I am a commercial driver plying this route, I always see them from morning to evening. We beg Governor Soludo to return these people to their duties. Open defecation and indiscriminate urination have gradually returned to Onitsha,”Comrade Okechukwu Ekweme contributed.
“If Ocha Brigade is truly a State Government established agency, why can’t Governor Soludo hold those behind the shooting responsible and allow others to continue their work. Infact, must Anambra State play politics with every thing ?” Hon. Emman Ezugwulo queried.
“The present environmental health situation in Onitsha has vindicated Ocha brigade. Now, everybody is crying again, and demanding Ocha brigade to return to duty. I will urge Anambra State Government to use this Ocha Brigade to sanitize Onitsha more. To me, Ocha Brigade agency is trying to keep environment clean and they are not handling any weapon, “Prince Ugwunnia Francis (Junior) noted.
Others who also reacted on the disappearance of Ocha Brigade from environmental health enforcement includes Nwosu Ejike, a wheel barrow pusher; Anthonia Ude, a hawrker; Ifunanya Judit, a POS operator amongst others who are all calling for the return of Ocha Brigade.
Meanwhile, further investigations revealed that some of mobile waste bins despatched by Ocha Brigade to reduce indiscriminate throwing of wastes which they forgot to collect back after their daily routine have been removed by unknown people.
The Managing Director of Ocha Brigade Agency, Chief Anere has not reacted on the development as at time of filing this report.
