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Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu state yesterday paid an unscheduled visit to the major roads leading to Ogbete Main Market and New Market, Enugu, appealing to traders who erected illegal shops on the roadside to immediately relocate as the structures are billed for demolition to sanitise the state and give the markets and the environs a facelift.
Gov. Ugwuanyi, who was accompanied by the Commissioner for Environment, Amb. Fidel Ayogu, District Police Officers of Ogui Road Station, Enugu, and Central Police Station, Ogbete Market, Enugu, Senior Officials of the Enugu State Capital Territory Development Authority, among others, trekked the entire stretch of both markets to address the affected traders and identify illegal shops to be removed by the relevant government agencies.
The governor regretted that the master plan of the state has been distorted as a result of action taken prior to the inception of his administration, adding that such untoward act has hindered the efforts of the government to sanitise the state capital and restore its status as the historical homeland of the south east region.
He stated that the visit was in line with his leadership style to first interface with the affected traders to explain the imperative of the exercise as well as seek their understanding to enable the government carry out the sanitization without any undue harassment, and to ensure that they are not caught unawares, saying “that is not the style of this administration”.
During the visit, Gov. Ugwuanyi approved immediate employment for two occupants of illegal shops in front of the State Library Complex, who cried out to him for help after identifying themselves as unemployed graduates, struggling to make ends meet. The governor equally approved some financial support for 29 other affected occupants of shops in the location to enable them to relocate.
“My people, I came here to inform you of our plan to clean up these areas and appeal that from tomorrow morning, whoever has business here should relocate inside the market or other approved areas. I am your brother and I do not want the police to come here and harm any of you. We want to sanitise the place so that all the vehicles that are supposed to ply these areas can do so smoothly and comfortably. If you paid anybody money to stay here, give me his or her name so that I will go and recover your money for you”, Gov. Ugwuanyi said.
