YULETIDE: OCHA BRIGADE INTENSIFIES WAR AGAINST STREET TRADING IN ONITSHA
By Kelechi Achukwu-jide/Ogochukwu Mokwugwo/Ifeanyi Nwegbo :
In a bid to maintain orderliness and decongest the roads inside Onitsha market this festive season, the OCHA Brigade has intensified its efforts to curb roadside trading. The brigade has been seizing wares from traders who insist on displaying their goods along the roads, despite having shops in the markets.
Speaking with newsmen in his office, the Zonal Commander, Anambra North OCHA Brigade, Mr. Daniel Martin Obiefuna emphasised the importance of maintaining orderliness and cleanliness in the markets. He explained that the brigade’s major work is road decongestion. “Some traders who have shops in Onitsha markets prefer selling along the road. After the roads are repaired, these traders compromise the cleanliness and orderliness of the area,” he said.
The Commander warned that the brigade will no longer tolerate this behavior, and erring traders will face prosecution. “Normally, we don’t return seized wares. But today, we are releasing some seized goods to their owners. He also revealed that he has opened case files for future offenders.
He urged market leaders and traders to cooperate with the Brigade to achieve the goal of maintaining a clean and orderly market environment.
The Commander called on market leaders to always strive to help the government implement policies that will create a healthy trading environment for the general public.
- Achukwu-jide, Mokwugwo and Nwegbu are of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State *