By polycarp Ifeanyi, Onitsha
Men of Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra popularly known as Ocha Brigade on Friday recorded another huge success in their efforts to control street trading in the commercial city of Onitsha.
They stormed street traders operating at Owerri road by-pass opposite Ogbaru Main Market near anti tout office in Onitsha.
During the exercise, the operatives also chased away buses that were loading under the flyover where traders were chased away at Upper Iweka behind anti tout office.
The enforcement team of Ocha Brigade led by the unit coordinator of the area, Mr. Ejike Odife braved the rain and stormed the traders chasing them away with their wares.
The traders had earlier objected to vacating the main road as directed by men of Ocha Brigade who chased the traders away and stationed themselves along the area to ensure that none of them returned to their portion.
Recall that Anambra state government had in the past prohibited street trading through Ocha Brigade agency with consistent warning to traders to desist from littering major roads with refuse thereby causing obstruction on the roads.
But some traders refused to adhere to the warning.
Our reporter gathered that the street traders were equally chased away from various locations at Upper Iweka axis but instead of them to relocate to the market, they resorted to relocate to Owerri Road by-pass and along Asaba express way where they continued to operate their trading activities.
Addressing newsmen shortly, the Ocha Brigade coordinator of Borromeo Roundabout down to Upper Iweka, Niger Bridge, Ogbaru local government and Owerri Road, Mr Ejike Odife reiterated that Anambra state government had prohibited street trading and nobody should be allowed to be trading along the major road and by-pass.
He condemned the attitude of people who were loading buses under the flyover where traders were chased away, saying that the Governor had ordered that every bus operator should go to the designated motor parks.
He expressed worry that some people chose to stay at the major road to trade instead of going inside the market, saying that it was a clear violation of environmental law of Anambra state for anybody to engage in street trading.
“We have stationed our men in the area to ensure that these traders do not come back again. Does it mean that they can not sell their products if they go inside the market ? The answer is no. Let them go inside the market and look for shops. So, we ensure that everybody vacated the area and nobody should be allowed to stay in the area again, “he ordered.
He further vowed that Upper Iweka and its environs under his watch should be sanitized, warning traders who might be planning to secure position along the major road to immediately discard the idea as Ocha brigade agency had come to stay.
Mr Odife used the opportunity to express his appreciation to the Anambra state Governor, Professor Charles Soludo in his efforts to develop all the sectors in the state as well as God’s infinite wisdom to the State director of Ocha Brigade, Chief Celestine Anere who he described as the indefatigable leader.
