Gov. Ugwuanyi appeals to traders over sewage spillover at Enugu prisons
Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwu
anyi of Enugu State has appealed to traders of Ogbete main market, Enugu for understanding and calm over the unfortunate incident of overflow of sewage from Federal Prisons, Enugu to the market, which poses thealth hazard to the traders and the public.
Gov. Ugwuanyi who made the appeal when he visited the sites at Enugu Prisons and the market to assess the level of damage caused by the incident, promised to intervene to provide a lasting solution to menace of the spillover.
He frowned at the development and sympathized with the traders and the public, informing them that what affects the people of the state also affects him. He wondered why the incident was not brought to his notice for timely intervention as the Chief Security Officer of the state.
The governor who also walked through market to appeal to the traders, said that the visit was necessitated by the need for him to see for himself and feel the pains the traders were experiencing and collaborate with the Federal Prisons authorities to proffer permanent solution to the problem.
“May I sincerely apologise for this ugly incident. What affects you, also affects me as your Governor. The greatest objective of the government is to alleviate the sufferings of the people. I have come and I have seen what you people are passing through. Action will start immediately to address this issue,” Ugwuanyi assured.
In his speech, the Controller of Prisons, Enugu State Command, Mr. Ifeanyi Amariri, thanked the governor for the prompt visit, saying that the incident was as a result of over population of inmates in the prisons.
He regretted the inconveniences caused by the incident, noting the issue requires a holistic approach to tackle.
The Prisons Chief expressed optismism that the governor’s visit would go a long way to assist the command in finding a lasting solution to the menace of the sewage problem.
Reacting, the traders through the chairman of Ogbete Market Association, Hon. Tempo Udeh expressed joy over the show of concern by the governor and promised to cooperate the appropriate authorities to address the problem.
Earlier in his speech, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Sam Ngwu described the incident as a disaster, which could cause the following diseases: cholera outbreak, polio, typhoid, salmonella diarrhea, dysentery, hepatitis A& B, inhalation lung airway and toxic allergies, among others.
It is worthy of note that the governor prior to the visit had ordered the Commissioner for Enugu State Capital Development Authority, Bar. Chidi Aroh to immediately intervene in the matter, which saw to the measures being put in place to remedy the ugly situation.
