Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) Anambra State has called on Governor Chukwuma Soludo to expedite action towards evacuation and clearing of refuse dump sites in various parts of the state.
The group said the clearing of waste bins and refuse has become inevitable to avoid flooding, health hazards and erosion.
It also said the clearing would remove obstructions, destruction of roads and blockage of drainage channels and roads due to torrential downpour currently at its peak.
The call was contained in a press statement titled: ‘Cleanliness is Next to Godliness,’ issued to newsmen and endorsed by the principal officers including Chairman, Vincent Ezekwueme; Chidi Mbah, secretary; and Hyginus Udensi, treasurer; respectfully.
The statement read: “In the course of our observation of the ongoing Onitsha clean up, urban renewal initiative and the level of compliance of the Governor Soludo directive for demolition of illegal structures on the drainage systems, we commend the political will and relentless efforts of Governor Soludo to ensure safe, secured, clean and habitable homeland.
“Notwithstanding, there are still refuse dump sites in various parts of the state that need and deserve urgent and immediate evacuation as they constitute threat to lives and health of the citizenry.
“It will be recalled that CLO was in the vanguard of the agitation for the cleaning and clearing of various dump sites during the last administration, but only Ochanja roundabout refuse bins were then evacuated.
“We wish to reiterates our earlier appeal to His Excellency to set aside one day every week for one-on-one interaction with a cross section of citizens in order to get feedback on the impacts of Government policies and programmes as well as problems, predicaments and plights of the citizenry and their urgent needs.
“It is of prime importance for the Governor to listen and accept constructive criticisms and bear it in mind that those who tell him what he needs to know and do are really those who want him to succeed, not those who tell him what he wants to hear because of their selfish interests.”
The statement condemned the outrageous disrespect and humiliation meted to Founder/Spiritual Director of Holy Ghost Intervention and Adoration Ministry Pastor Chukwuemeka Ohanaemere (Odumeje) during the demolition of a part of an attachment in his Church and security post.
It expressed need for Government to urgently reconstitute Board and Management Team of Anambra State Road Maintenance Agency for optimal performances as many roads are in dire need of palliative attention and urgent rehabilitation.
It also urged the the government to make concerted efforts to eliminate or curtail sales, distribution and consumption of Methamphetamine called Mkpurumili in local parlance that has rendered, still rendering our youths useless and irresponsible.
It said the body was in support of Soludo’s transformation agenda, and urged the Governor to advise his Commissioners and appointees to make themselves available and accessible to all citizens and reduce unnecessary bureaucratic bottlenecks existing in the system.
