By Okechukwu Onuegbu

Residents of Awka, the Anambra State capital, Wednesday, went into wild jubilation as Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA) embarked on desilting of drainages.

The affected drainages, which falls within Enugu-Onitsha Expressway by Zik's avenue, included Amenyi, Majou, Ichide, Igwebuike, Ogbugbankwa, Dike Park, Eke Awka, Udeke, Parkas, among others.

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, ACTDA, Hon. Osita Ọnuko, who led a team of cleaning workforce of the agency, with evacutors and labourers, said he was moved by the sufferings of people around the area.

"Our people often dump refuse indiscriminately especially during the raining season mostly because of ignorance of the devastating effects on people. We should know that plastic waste is very dangerous because it does not decompose easily unlike other waste.

"I have urged town-criers, media and others to help in sensitising the public to stop disposing waste on the drainage whether in the raining season or Sun. We have provided receptacles and we urge people to use them in disposing their wastes accordingly," he encouraged the masses.

Ọnuko also encouraged the law enforcement agents, including the Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra (OCHA) brigade to make use of the relevant laws in the State and apprehend and prosecute those engaging in indiscriminate waste disposals accordingly to serve as deterrents to others.

Business owners and residents of the area have been decrying over the effects of flooding along the area due to blockage of drainages with plastic, sands and other climatic problems.

They expressed happiness over the new developments and urged the government to continue so as to save motorists, residents and businesses in the areas.

Mr Gab Tabugbo, one of the business owners in the area, who deals on tires and spare parts at Zik's avenue, hailed the decision but adviced the government to widening the drainages and properly channel the floods and water running through them.

According to Tabugbo, there is also need for removal of slaps used in covering the drainages as they contribute towards blockage of the drainages due to heep of sands and refuse dumps into the drainages.

He recalled how flooding sacked him in the shop severally until he finally bought cements and raise the entry into the shop with steps.

Also speaking, a mobile entertainer, Mr Aiza Nwosu, also called for remove of all slaps and buildings erected on water channels as they obstruct free flow of flood.

He recalled how flooding had sacked some persons from their buildings, adding that there were need to start arresting and detaining those culpable in the act as deterants to orders.

why is this news? It's their job for crying out loud