By Polycarp Ifeanyi
Determined to support the efforts of the Anambra State governor, Prof. Charles Soludo, in creating a clean environment, traders at Ogbaru Main Market have begun an intensive sanitation exercise.
Led by the president general of the market, Mr Ndubisi Ochiogu, the traders commenced the desilting of the drainages on Friday.
Recall that Governor Soludo recently flagged off the desilting of blocked drainages for easy flow of flood waters and to make the environment clean.
During the flag-off, Soludo said that the 21 local government areas of the state would also flag off theirs. He said that communities, markets and individual homes are also expected to join in the exercise.
Speaking to newsmen shortly after inspection, Ochiogu explained that the exercise was to comply with the directives given by the state government.
Ochiogu noted that some traders complied during the sanitation while the shops of those who did not comply would be locked up.
He poured encomiums on Professor Soludo, describing the launching of “Clean, Green Sustainable Anambra” and “Operation Keep your Gutters Clean” as a brilliant approach to repositioning the health sector in the state.
According to him, the sanitation directive from the governor has become a law in their market.
He warned traders to stop showcasing their wares on top of gutters, urging them to report to the market task force anybody throwing waste material indiscriminately.
He said: “What we are doing is to carry out the governor’s directive to all markets. It is a good initiative because traders will benefit from it during the rainy season. After desilting gutters, it will pave way for easy flow of water.
“So it is a good thing that deserves to be emulated, not bad things. I am thankful to the governor because when I assumed duty in 2021, I embarked on desilting gutters inside the market as well but after seven months of my absence, all the gutters filled up with debris.”
Some of the traders present in the market, including Emmanuel Ebelebe and Mr Edmond Ezenwa, said that the sanitation exercise is very imperative especially where people live and transact business.
They pointed out that government cannot do everything for the people, and urged their members to always clean up in their own time without waiting for government to direct them.
Also speaking, the chairman of market sanitation, Mr Godwin Okpara, commended the developmental strides of Governor Soludo as well as the leadership quality of their leader, Ochiogu.
