The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Imo State Chapter, has expressed its concern over the Imo State Environmental Transformation Commission (ENTRACO), which it has accused of becoming a terrorist arm in the Governor Hope Uzodinma administration.
PDP also expressed apprehension that if something is not done immediately to address the worrying flow of ENTRACO, it could turn into a more dangerous and unpleasant situation.
In a statement issued in Owerri by the State Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Lancelot Obiaku, the party said that when people hear the word “terrorism” and immediately conjure in their minds armed groups living in forests and disturbing the peace of the people, yet terrorism is not always found in the forests.
“It can also wear reflective jackets, drive government-branded trucks and roam around in the city, thereby striking fear in the hearts of innocent people,” he said.
The PDP regretted that what happened a few days ago on Toronto/MCC Road in Owerri, as captured on CCTV cameras, was nothing short of terrorism, saying they saw men armed with cutlasses, bottles and other dangerous weapons attacking motorists and traders.
He described this as violence and not enforcement, saying the party was disappointed to see how the armed group known as Imo Entreko, whatever its name, spread fear and inflicted physical harm on civilians.
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According to the party, this action fits the description of a terrorist organization, noting that their fear is that these people operate under the protection of the government.
“While condemning these excesses, the PDP instructively stated that ENTRACO was never designed to operate in this manner. The Commission was established in 2008 to beautify and maintain a clean, green and healthy environment in the state, and this includes overseeing sanitation, cleaning of drains, planting flowers and trees and other efforts targeted at the creation of healthy environments for human habitation”, he said.
Obiaku recalled that during the administration of former Governor Ikedi Ohakim, who established the commission, ENTRACO achieved this mandate by making the city clean while the people were at peace with the activities of the agency.
He observed that recently, especially since the appointment of Anyahi as Chairman, ENTRACO has deviated from its founding purpose, and instead of cleaning up and beautifying the state, it has become a source of daily suffering for motorists, traders and small business owners.
He said: “Imo PDP wonders how the Imo State Traffic Management Agency (ISTMA) which already exists and is empowered by law to handle traffic and parking violations will be in operation while NTRACO is in the business of running cutlass and chasing drivers across the city and the state.”
The party accused the state governor of giving one of his colleagues the authority to roam around with people who look like thugs and common criminals, who carry all kinds of weapons, in the name of monitoring and evaluation.
The party pointed out that with these disproportionate steps, the government is encouraging banditry and sectarianism, and creating monsters, regretting that when they turn into full-fledged terrorists, the government will not step back and accuse the opposition parties of sponsoring terrorism in the state, as it has always done irrationally.
PDP stressed that if by any means the government has given ENTRACO the right to encroach, they should perform their duties with respect for human dignity.
“Accordingly, the use of violence against civilians is contrary to the oath taken by the Governor to protect life and property in Imo State and the law that established the commission,” he said.
The party reminded that just two months ago, Naz youth had blocked the Imo ENTRACO office in protest against the killing of one of their brothers in an accident allegedly caused by ENTRACO workers.
He described it as unfortunate that after each tragedy, ENTRACO issues arrogant and uncharacteristic statements from its untrained mouthpieces, which add insult to injury.
The Publicity Secretary cited examples of other states and cities including Enugu, Abia and Aba where traffic offenses are curbed without brutality.
He further explained that the Abia State Harmonized Task Force (ASHTF) enforces the order firmly but humanely while the officers are trained, and they listen and no one can reason with them.
Obiaku said they do not behave like street hooligans, cultists and terrorists, describing it as a shame that the same cannot be said of NTRACO officials in Imo State who derive pleasure from inflicting pain. “This is not good for a state that was once known for its civilization and love of education.”
“And, let us make it clear that the brave resistance of the youth on MCC Road, which unfortunately led to bloodshed, should serve as a warning. When government agencies become a source of oppression, people will eventually rise up in self-defense. If nothing is done to stop ENTRACO's excesses, we fear that one day the situation may go out of control”, he said.
Therefore, the PDP has called on the Governor to stop NTRACO from harassing and destroying the businesses of small traders who do business without hindering movement, adding that these men and women are only trying to feed their families.
The party pointed out that young men and women running POS businesses are attempting to earn an honest income rather than engaging in crime, yet they are routinely followed, beaten and have their trade tools taken away. According to the party, many people have lost huge sums of money, luggage, chairs, tables and umbrellas in the process of fleeing from ENTRACO authorities.
Therefore, the PDP called for the employment of the right people and proper training of officers appointed for any form of enforcement in the state, while also advising that if any government agency has to implement any policy, it should directly liaise with the affected people and all stakeholders through engagement and persuasion.
“Had the PDP been in power in the state, it would have done the same. The idea of waking up one morning and starting destroying people's means of livelihood should be abandoned,” he said.
He said the Imo people just want to live in a clean and orderly city but not in fear and the Imo people want to respect the law but not at the cost of their dignity and safety.
He said: “Therefore, Entraco should be reined in and redirected towards its core duty, which is environmental change, not intimidation.”
