Intervene in Anambra community crisis to prevent death tolls, Rep Ogene urges Soludo

 

By Okechukwu Onuegbu

Awka

The member representing Ogbaru Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Afam Victor Ogene, has called on Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State to urgently intervene in the crisis rocking Okpoko community in order to prevent total breakdown of law and order.

Ogene, in a statement, alleged that "illegal and violent activities of agents of the Anambra State Environmental Protection Agency, ANSEPA, in the name of collection of sanitation levy in the area," was causing disputes in the community which falls under his Constituency (Ogbaru).

According to him, the state government, should also, in clear terms, address the contentious issue of the 2021 and 2022 sanitation levy in the area, so as to conclusively resolve the disagreement and avert a looming security danger in Okpoko.

He said the leadership of Okpoko community had in save our soul (SOS) letter presented after a massive protest accused ANSEPA of illegally and violently demanding 2021 and 2023 sanitation levy, which they said government had already "taken care of," seemingly during the last governoship campaign period in the state.

According to him, Okpoko community in the letter disclosed that ANSEPA employs the services of daredevil thugs who often besiege the community in odd hours of the day - sometimes, as early as 4am - armed with cudgels and wood, going from house to house to terrorise residents, beating and maiming those who fail to pay the alleged illegal levy.

"While I am not against revenue generation by government, such activities should be undertaken in a legitimate, civilized, peaceful and fair approach that would not threaten the peace of the people. I call on Governor Soludo to urgently call ANSEPA management to order, especially the contractor responsible for the collection of levy from Okpoko and Ogbaru Local Government Area in general, in order not to ignite crisis and bad blood between the community and government agencies, that may potentially engulf the state."