It is unfortunate that open defecation, which seemed to have been eradicated at Upper Iweka in Onitsha, Anambra State, has suddenly returned in full force.
The resurgence of indiscriminate defecation at Upper Iweka has prompted road users to abandon a particular route due to the offensive smell caused by human feces. Traders operating businesses near the gutters are facing serious health issues as a result of the unhealthy environment.
Reports indicate that the absence of the Operation Clean Healthy Anambra (OCHA Brigade) at Upper Iweka for several weeks has turned the area into a defecation zone, causing the surroundings to stink, reminiscent of the situation prior to the OCHA Brigade’s intervention.
During a visit to Upper Iweka, no members of the OCHA Brigade were sighted, and the tops of gutters and main roads were littered with human feces and urine, especially along the Upper Iweka to Niger Bridge expressway.
It is evident that some individuals are deliberately defacing the environment to undermine the state government’s efforts to create a conducive living environment for the people. This is quite unfortunate.
A reliable source revealed that the OCHA Brigade was asked to suspend its operations ahead of the local government elections in the state to allow citizens to vote freely. After the elections, they have yet to resume their duties.
Our source further disclosed that immediately the OCHA Brigade vacated the main roads, activities of open defecation and indiscriminate urination surged, resulting in a return to disorder in Upper Iweka.
“There are a lot of mentally ill individuals in Upper Iweka, but since the OCHA Brigade was commissioned to oversee sanitation, many of them sought shelter. Now that they believe the Brigade is not on duty, they have returned. Without enforcement, Upper Iweka cannot be controlled, especially regarding open defecation, because many people lack toilet facilities in their homes. Some don’t even have a place to sleep except in Upper Iweka. These are the individuals causing havoc both day and night,” said the source.
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