Government has warned all mechanics, artisans and traders trying to resume illegal operations along the banks of Nworie River, from Umezurike Hospital to 4th Inland Road to quit immediately or face dire consequences.
Imo State Commissioner for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Mazi Uche Ohia, PhD, handed down the warning in the morning of Tuesday April 19, 2022, while addressing the illegal operators including motor mechanics and those roasting cow skin (kanda). He ordered them to vacate the area immediately in their own interest or face arrest and prosecution.
Mazi Uche Ohia wondered why after seeing that government was making spirited efforts to create a family – friendly ecotourism environment in the area, they choose to deface, obstruct and destroy the government project. He noted that it is an offence to trespass into government property and to constitute a nuisance therein and ordered them to move out immediately.
He went further to say: “government is developing this axis; there is a master plan guiding that development for the transformation of Owerri and the contractors are at work. You have been warned to stay away from here. Why are you sneaking back in?Take your business to designated locations. You are warned to leave here immediately”.
Mazi Uche Ohia stated that henceforth vehicles seen at the illegal mechanic workshops along the banks of Nworie River would be impounded and the illegal operators arrested. He said government provided mechanic villages as a way of encouraging artisans and charged the illegal operators to move to such government approved places for their job.
In their separate remarks, Mr Uzoma Nnorom, Mr Bethel Oparaike, Chidi Ihieri, and Patrick Onuegbu confessed that government had ordered them to vacate earlier for the ongoing park project and promised to vacate the area. Mr Bethel Oparaike pleaded for two days grace to enable them move their things but the Commissioner reiterated government’s order for immediate eviction of illegal occupants and trespassers and evacuation of all vehicles there.
Sir T.U.C Nwokonkwo, Permanent Secretary,Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts and Mrs Adaeze Nzeogu, Head of Department of Creative Arts in the Ministry, were in the Commissioner’s team.
