The Anambra State Government has arrested 30 street hawkers and closed over 100 shops in the state for environmental violations as part of Operation Keep Clean and Healthy (Ocha Brigade).
Mr Celestine Anere, Managing Director of Ocha Brigade, revealed on Thursday that the offenders broke state hawking and selling laws at the famed Eke Awka market in Awka.
Anere, who spearheaded the operation, stated that the state government will no longer tolerate roadblocks and shop owners who pollute their surroundings.
“We are here to decongest streets and prevent hawkers and traders from blocking access roads,” he stated. We’re sick of pleading with them not to trade on major thoroughfares.
“What we are doing is to arrest persons who hawk on the streets and seize their goods. We must set the streets free from blockage by traders.
“While clearing the street traders, we discovered that drainages were filled to the brim and causing flooding. The control of flooding in this place is simple, what we need is just to distil the drainage to allow water to flow freely.”
He also expressed satisfaction that the traders have started complying with the distilling order, noting that their shops would be opened immediately after evidence of serious commitment.
“We closed the shops because their shops were dirty, the distilling laws of Anambra State made it clear that you must keep your environment clean and clean gutters. Based on these laws, we are compelling the shop owners to distil and keep their surroundings clean. We will continue to close their shops until they fully comply,” he added.
Speaking during the operation, the Chairman of St Mary Traders Association, Mr Obinna Umeh, said the traders cleared the drainage three times within the period and immediately after clearing, the drainage will be filled again because of tunnel closure.