The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Imo State chapter, has accused Governor Hope Uzodinma of using the Environmental Transformation Commission, ENTRACO, against the citizens of the state.
The accusation followed the recent demolition of Toronto Junction Market in Owerri North LGA where goods and properties were destroyed with many people injured.
The party alleged that ENTRACO, under the Uzodinma administration, has become a terrorist organization in disguise, warning that if nothing is done urgently to address its present activities, it may snowball into something more dangerous.
Parts of a statement issued by its spokesperson, Lancelot Obiaku, read, “What happened along Toronto/MCC Road, few days ago, as captured by a CCTV camera, is nothing short of terror. We watched as men armed with cutlasses, bottles, and other dangerous weapons pounced on motorists and traders.
“We make bold to say that this is not enforcement. It is violence. Any armed group that unleashes fear and bodily harm on citizens, no matter the name it bears, fits the description of a terrorist organization. And our fear is that these men operate under the protection of the Government.”
The party, while condemning the activities of the commission, asserted that ENTRACO was never designed to be aggressive in its operations.
PDP noted that the Commission was established in 2008 for the sole purpose of beautifying and maintaining a clean, green and healthy environment in the state, including overseeing sanitation, cleaning of gutters, planting of flowers and trees, and other efforts targeted at creating an environment healthy for human habitation.
The party recalled that during the administration of Governor Ikedi Ohakim, under whose watch the Commission was established, that the city was clean, and the people were at peace with the agency’s activities.
It regretted that lately, since the appointment of one Mr. Anyahie as Chairman of the Commission, the agency has drifted from its founding purpose.
“Instead of cleaning and beautifying the State, it has become a source of daily torment to motorists, traders, and small business owners.
“Imo PDP wonders how the Imo State Traffic Management Agency, ISTMA, which already exists and which is empowered by law to handle traffic and parking violations will be in operation, while ENTRACO takes up the business of wielding cutlasses and chasing drivers across the city and state,” the statement added.
The party expressed worry that as if what ENTRACO is doing is not enough, the state governor also empowered one of his aides to move about with fierce looking men who wield all kinds of weapons in the name of monitoring and evaluation.
PDP alleged that with the current moves, the government is indirectly encouraging banditry and cultism.
*We hope that when they metamorphose to full blown terrorists, the government will not turn around and accuse the opposition parties of sponsoring terrorism in the state, as it has always, irrationally, done.
“We insist that if by any means the government has given ENTRACO authority they must carry out their duties with respect for human dignity. The use of violence against citizens runs contrary to the oath the Governor took to protect lives and property in Imo State and the law establishing the Commission.”
PDP further recalled that just two months ago, Naze youths blocked the ENTRACO office in protest over the killing of their brother in an accident caused by the operatives of the Commission.
It pointed out that in other states and cities, traffic offences are curtailed without cruelty.
“The Abia State Harmonized Task Forcr, ASHTF, enforces order firmly but humanely. Their officials are trained, and they listen. You can reason with them. They do not behave like street thugs, cultists and terrorists.
“It is therefore a shame that the same cannot be said of ENTRACO officials who seem to derive joy from inflicting pain. This is not good for a State once known for its civility and love for education.
“Let us make it clear, the brave resistance of youths along MCC Road, which unfortunately led to bloodshed, should serve as a warning.
“When government agencies become a source of oppression, the people will eventually rise in self-defense. If nothing is done to check the excesses of ENTRACO, we fear that one day the situation may escalate beyond control,” the statement stressed.
PDP called on the governor to stop ENTRACO from harassing and destroying the businesses of petty traders who do business without obstructing movement.
PDP maintained that victims of the activities of the Commission are people only trying to fend for their families but regretted that they are constantly chased, beaten, and stripped of their trades.
In addition, it called for the employment of right people and proper training of officials employed for any kind of enforcement in the state, advising that if any government agency must enforce a policy, it must approach it through engagement with the people directly affected and all stakeholders.
“This is what the PDP will do if it were in power in the state. The idea of waking up one morning to commence the destruction of people’s means of livelihood must be shunned.
“Imo people only want to live in a clean and orderly city, yes, but not in fear. They want to respect the law, but not at the cost of their dignity and safety. ENTRACO must, therefore, be reined in and redirected to its original duty which is environmental transformation, not intimidation.”
