Dan Opara
As part restoring sanity in the state, the authority of the Environmental Transformation Commission, ENTRACO,Imo State,ably led by the General Manager, Hon.Alex Emeziem, with the Director of Operation of the Commission, Chief Udochukwu Anusiem, aka Odoebebu Mbaitoli, and some members of the operational team, was on last Monday,5th August 2019, stormed those using the University premises for their commercial businesses such as buying and selling.
Speaking, the ENTRACO GM, Hon.Emeziem,expressed worry and dissatisfaction on the manner in which people are trading around the varsity premises most especially in front of the institutions main entrance, even as he disclosed that his commission before embarking on the demolition of the shanties have earlier given them over three weeks notice, but the kept deaf ears.
Emeziem, furthermore said the commission’s mission at the moment is to reclaim all lost environmental plans in the urban city of Owerri in line with the current issue and policies of the rebuild mission led govt.of Gov. Emeka Ihedioha.
The GM more so frowned at way in which people turned some official premises into commercial areas for their own selfish interest.
“We are targeting to ensure sanity,cleanliness and for enabling environment. We are assiduously working to rebuild the state. All we are doing now is to plant grasses, tress, beautification, environmental control of flooding, mostly at the IMSU vicinity and its environs. Days of living with shanties and dirtiness are gone, that is why we are wearing human faces in all we are doing”, the GM submitted.
Also speaking, the ENTRACO Director Head of Operations,Hon.Chief Udochukwu Anusiem, Odoebube of Mbaitoli, expressed delight on the successful removal of shot-out-shops and stores within and around the University road.
” I am happy that the people (shop owners at IMSU) are not against our Urban-Rebuilding policies, which according to him,has come to stay for the benefits, development, prosperity and growth of Imolites. Remember,we did not storm them unaware nor by surprise, rather we earlier gave them notice three weeks notice, four days announcements on Radio and other means of information disseminations, but the refused. ENTRACO is poised to make a positive difference. Our Urban Rebuilding process is for the interest of the masses. Our environment must be sanitized and keep clean, because healthy nation are wealthy nation”, Odoebube submitted.
The Head of ENTRACA Operations,Chief Anusiem, further ceased the opportunity to advise IMSU students to focus more on their academics, but condemned cultism and other social vices amongst the students.
Meanwhile, the IMSU Dean, Students Affairs, Prof.Matins Uchenna Nwankwo, in his own reactions to the demolition, described ENTRACO exercise as a welcome development, pointed out that the versity management earlier before now have tried to vacate those trading in front of the school and its environs, but unable to carry out such task due to lack of funding and capital.
The University Don, Nwankwo, therefore alleged that over 90% of those on commercial businesses at IMSU are not students, rather embattled traders affected by the removal and relocation of the Eke-Ukwu Owerri Market.
He extolled ENTRACO for taking such drastic actions.
“IMSU leadership are in support of the demolition of illegal structures and shanties within and around the varsity axis. We wrote warning letters to them asking them to vacate those places and go to the University back gate that have been approved and authorised as ” Students Activity Centre”, Prof.Nwankwo stated.
The Dean of Students Affairs, however commended Gov.Emeka Ihedioha for his current style of governance, even as he also extolled the Vice Chancellor of IMSU, Prof.Mrs.Adaobi Obasi, for making the institution proud in all ramifications.
