Tag: ACTDA

By  Ukpa Ewa  :

The Anambra State Ministry of Women and Social Welfare, in collaboration with the Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA), has conducted a raid today at Aroma under bridge in a bid to eradicate the persistent issue of child begging in the area.

Addressing journalists after the operation, the Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Mrs. Ify Obinabo, expressed deep concern that school-age children are being denied their right to education and exploited as beggars and petty thieves by unscrupulous individuals despite Gov. Chukwuma Soludo’s provision of free basic education in the state.

Mrs. Obinabo stressed that the state government will not tolerate such activities anywhere within Anambra, and is committed to tracking down those responsible for sending these children to beg, noting that similar raids will be carried out across the state.

On his part, the Managing Director of ACTDA, Mr. Ossy Onuko, explained that these beggars and other miscreants have repeatedly been warned, both through conventional and social media channels to vacate the city, but they failed to comply.

Mr. Onuko emphasized that the authorities are determined to identify and prosecute the parents, guardians, and syndicates behind the exploitation of these children.

He reiterated that the raid is part of an ongoing effort to rid the area, which is a key governmental zone, as well as other parts of the Awka Capital Territory, of beggars and other miscreants.

*Ukpa is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State

By Ukpa Ewa :

The Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA) enforcement team in collaboration with Anambra State Vigilante Group (AVG) has on April 4, took a decisive action to dislodge illegal occupants from an uncompleted building at Amawbia Express intended for use as a hotel due to concerns over threats and nuisances to the surrounding environment. 

Prompted by a surge in drugs peddling and other illicit enterprises within the environment, officials of the two combined teams acted swiftly to dislodge approximately 300 individuals hailing from Kano, Taraba, Kogi, Adamawa and various other states, who had unlawfully occupied the structure.

Addressing Journalists in Amawbia, Anambra State, the Commander of Awka Capital Territory Development Authority, Mr. Ugochukwu Nwimo, said that there are urgent need for intervention, citing rampant illegal enterprises and public nuisance perpetrated by the occupants. 

Nwimo, who said that there was prior warnings and 14 days eviction notice to the illegal occupants of the structure, they persisted in their nefarious activities, hence, a comprehensive response from authorities.

Speaking on the need to maintain law and order in the capital city, Mr Nwimo said that contact with the owner of the building showed his lack of knowledge regarding the unauthorized tenants, underscoring the urgency of the situation.

In his words, “Efforts are underway to ensure the safety and well-being of  children and women found in the premises. while measures are being taken to prevent similar situations in the future” he said.

When inquired by the newsmen on the arrangement of the occupants of the uncompleted building, a private security man from Adamawa State, Muhammed Garba who oversees the premises,  clarified that the owner of the building had no knowledge of the illegal occupants.

Garba, who said that he accommodated them based on brotherhood and tribal affection, acknowledged that there was nefarious activities ongoing within and around the area, but insisted he has never been part of such act, nor has any arrangement whatsoever in constituting public nuisance.

Residents who spoke to newsmen on condition of anonymity, expressed gratitude for ACTDA’s intervention, applauding the restoration of order and the eradication of the criminal hub.

They unanimously acknowledged the persistent security and social challenges posed by the presence of those occupants and welcomed the decisive action taken by authorities to restore sanity to the state.

*Ukpa is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State