Flooding: Anambra CLO calls on Soludo to intervene, avert health hazards, epidemic

Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) in Anambra State has appealed to the state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, to expedite actions towards evacuation and clearing refuse dump sites in various parts of the state.

This was contained in a press statement issued to newsmen by Comrades Vincent Ezekwueme, Chidi Mbah and Hyginus Udensi, chairman, secretary and treasurer respectively, tagged “Cleanliness is next to godliness“.

The Organisation made the remarks in the course of observation of ongoing Onitsha clean-up and Urban Renewal Initiative, as well as the level of compliance of the Governor Soludo directive for demolition of illegal structures on the drainage systems.

It noted that clearing of waste bins and refuse is inevitable and ineluctable to avoid flooding, health hazards, erosion, obstruction, destruction of roads and blockage of drainage channels and roads due to torrential downpour currently at its peak.

It also commended the political will and relentless efforts of the governor to ensure safe, secured, clean and habitable homeland.

Lamenting the number of refuse dump sites in various parts of the state, the CLO stated:

“Notwithstanding, there are still refuse dump sites in various parts of the state that need and deserve urgent and immediate evacuation as it constitutes a threat to the lives and health of the citizenry.”

It will be recalled that CLO was in the vanguard of agitating for the cleaning and clearing of various dump sites during the last administration, but only Ochanja roundabout refuse bins was then evacuated.

It, therefore, reiterated its earlier appeal to His Excellency to set aside one day every week for one on one interaction with 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 stated: “It is of prime importance for the governor to listen and accept constructive criticism and bear it in mind that those who tells him what he needs to know and do are really those who want him to succeed, not those who tells him what he wants to hear because of their selfish interest.

“According to Professor Wole Soyinka absence of constructive criticisms is a threat to democracy, democratic evolution and good governance.

“It is significant to note that the hope of this country depends on those who condemn evils and takes decisive and courageous steps towards eradicating it.

“He should advise his Commissioners and Political Appointees to make themselves available and accessible by the citizens and reduce unnecessary bureaucratic bottle neck and attends to problems, complaints and plights of the citizenry.

“Pertinently, all political Appointees should serve and not to be served. They should show civility, humility, respect, decorum, humane and love while discharging their duties.

“We support efforts by the government to transform the state to liveable and secured home land, but rights and dignity of citizens should be adequately protected and safeguarded.”

CLO condemned with great disdain the outrageous disrespectful asualt humiliation meted to Founder/Spiritual Director of Holy Ghost Intervention and Adoration Ministry Pastor Chukwuemeka Ohanaemere (Odumeje) during demolition of part of attachment in his Church and security post.

It noted, according to Rev. Martin King Jr, that injustice done to one is injustice done to all and whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.

It called on citizens to always be law abiding and for government to sanction and punish their officials that gives approval for constructions of illegal structures, as people believes that in as much as they have government approval, it is genuine and authentic .

The group extolled the humility and patriotism of Gov Soludo for apologizing to Prophet Odumeje and his promise to penalize the officials that brutalized him, saying it is cheering news and welcome development.

It called for an urgent and inevitable need to reconstitute a 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.

Among the list are the dilapidated and decrepit New Market, Bida, Niger street, Otumoye, Ziks Avenue, Ochanja roundabout, Ichida-Igboukwu, Ugwakwu-Ibughubu-Umuchu roads that has brought unprecedented devastating flooding, erosion, obstruction and destruction of roads.

Clo also sought concerted efforts to eliminate or curtail sale, distribution and consumption of Mkpurumili that has rendered and is still rendering youths useless and irresponsible.

“Government should constitute committee towards eradicating the menace and direct President Generals to wage successful wars against the menace in their various communities because only responsible citizens precipitate responsible family, community and state,” it posited.

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