Fresh Controversies Trail ENTRACO Taskforce …as Calls For Sack Of GM Intensifies

Fresh controversies have trailed the Imo state Environmental Transformation Agency (ENTRACO) attracting many more criticisms from the various quarters condemning the taskforce operations of the agency in Imo.

Just recently the youths of Naze community in Owerri  North local government area in their large numbers were reported to have stormed the office of ENTRACO along Owerri-Aba road to protest the death of a motorist allegedly caused by the taskforce operations of the agency and now, another controversy had sparked a few days ago at the Toronto area of Naze, Owerri North local government area.

This was reported to be a similar reaction of the youths in the area and this time, against the alleged looting and destruction of stalls belonging to some women, and some other owners of by taskforce of ENTRACO.

Some viral social media video clips have shown where many owners of the looted stalls, majority of who are women, cried out over the breaking and looting of their stalls even as some had lost their cash to the alleged criminal acts by the taskforce.

Their complaints had indicated that the alleged looting of their items, goods and cash had taken place at dawn far before they came to their stalls for the day’s sales and businesses.

The alleged continuous looting by the ENTRACO field workers and their reinforcements were said to have attracted the youths of the area to object their excesses.

Report has it that the arrest of a notorious member of the ENTRACO taskforce by the police at Toronto area of the state, who was known for harassing market women at Evening hours in the course of forcefully collecting illegal levies had spurred the reinforcement of other ENTRACO taskforce operators that led to the violence.

Criticisms are reported to have widely come from various quarters that are not in favour of the ENTRACO taskforce operations in Owerri and its environs against the expectations of the agenda and reforms of governor Hope Uzodimma.

An editorial made by an Imo based newspaper as well as the reactions of the people; one of which came from a former Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Chief Ben Osuagwu, have all condemned what they perceived as the excesses of ENTRACO taskforce operations.

Meanwhile, many people are reported to have called for interventions of the government to protect the people from such excesses and compensate those whose goods and cash were looted at Toronto area with agitations to disband the ENTRACO operations in Imo.

As at press time, telephone calls put across to the General Manager of ENTRACO were not responded to and there was not yet any official statement from the police, to ascertain the extent of casualties and damages during the brawl.

Calls for the sack of ENTRACO General Manager,  Anthony Anyaehie had intensified before this publication as it is believed that the excesses of his taskforce have gone beyond his control.

A press statement said to come from the agency on the Uratta incident has been widely seen as a damage control mechanism put in place to twist facts of their excesses and douse tension.