By Karen James
In a collaborative effort to restore order and decency in Awka’s three-arm zone, the Anambra State Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA) and the Anambra State Police Command have launched a sensitization campaign for tricycle riders and traders. The campaign aims to encourage these groups to use designated parks and markets for their activities, rather than conducting business in the area that houses the State Assembly Complex, Government House, State and Federal Secretariat, and the Federal High Court.
During a press briefing in Awka, Mr. Vena Leelea, a Divisional Police Officer (DPO) from B division, addressed journalists and emphasized the importance of maintaining law and order in the state capital. He warned drivers against blocking roads at Aroma and other places in the state, and urged them to conduct their transportation business responsibly.
Mr. Ossy Onuko, the managing director of ACTDA, highlighted the agency’s efforts to restore order in Awka, including daily enforcement to protect lives and property. Mr. Onuko stressed the need to keep the heart of Awka free from street trading and roadside sales in order to prevent accidents. He assured the public that their work would continue throughout the night, and called on citizens to adhere to designated trading areas.
Comrade Osita Obi, the Coordinator of Keke Drivers in Anambra and the Recover Nigeria Project, commended the police and ACTDA for their efforts to secure the capital city. He acknowledged Aroma-Awka as a peculiar place that requires special attention, considering that all arms of the state government are located around it and need proper guarding. However, he pointed out that the drivers are not the ones causing problems at Aroma, as it is a group of cultists in Awka that are obstructing traffic and free movement by loading on the roads instead of using designated parks.
Comrade Obi pleaded with the DPO to take special note of these cultists and mobilize his men adequately to tackle the issue. He emphasized the need for a clean, decent, and calm Awka, and expressed his concern for the safety and well-being of all residents.
This collaboration between ACTDA and the Anambra State Police Command is a significant step towards restoring order and enhancing the overall image of Awka’s key government zone. By sensitizing tricycle riders and traders, and enforcing designated areas for their activities, the authorities aim to create a safer and more organized environment for all residents and visitors to the city.
