— Threaten to take Otovwodo Market if …, warn community leaders against insubordination

By Matthias Ogbagah

UGHELLI – No fewer than four persons were convicted in Ughelli, the administrative headquarters of Ughelli’s North local government, at the weekend during the monthly environmental exercise of the state as the council boss, Barr. Jaro Egbo pulldown all illegal structures at Ughelli main market and Otovwodo markets.

Speaking to newsmen at Otovwodo market, the council boss expressed dissatisfaction with the nonchalant attitude of some community leaders in the council area for their outrageous defiance of constituted authorities.
According to him, prior to the exercise he called for the stakeholders meeting with leaderships of both markets and sensitise them on the need why illegal structures, shielding and collections will not be allow in the two markets in particular and other markets in general.

While condemning the nonchalant and insubordination of some of the community leaders he threaten the council’s readiness to takeover the market if they (community leaders) are not ready to comply with the council authority.

Egbo while threatening the council preparedness to go after community leaders who flouting the council’s laws and orders, he particularly condemned the chairman of Otovwodo community one Mr. Ugbarugba for not honour his invitation rather he ordered traders at Otovwodo market to trade on the roads and walkways.

Earlier at Ughelli main market, Egbo in collaboration with the Environmental department of the council stormed the market with Caterpillar, teams of Nigeria Police, Nigeria Army, Vigilantes Group of Nigeria (VGN), and Nigeria Hunters to pulldown and remove all illegal structures along the market, Olotu and GRA roads.

While convicting four for offences related to environmental sanitation offence, the head of the Mobile Court, His Worship Onome Matthias Eseda said the offenders were charged and fine inline sanitation law of the state. He urged residents of Ughelli north council to always keep their environment neat and keep to law of sanitation.

Meanwhile, the Head of Department (HOD) environment, Sanitaria Victory Ikpebako said penultimate sundays the council embarked on massive campaign against illegal structures, trading on the walkways or pavements and the pending dooms on anything constituting environmental hazard yet they did not heed to the council’s advises.