The Ebonyi Government says it will commence removal of abandoned and broken down vehicles on roads within Abakaliki, the state capital, following expiration of two weeks deadline given to the vehicle owners.
Mr Stanley Emegha-Okoro, the Senior Special Assistant to Gov. Dave Umahi, on Capital City Development Authority, stated this on Wednesday in Abakaliki.
He led a team of task force officials to monitor compliance to government’s directive on removal of abandoned broken down vehicles on Abakaliki roads and streets.
According to him, the two weeks grace period given to owners of such vehicles that littered the streets and major roads of the capital city has elapsed.
He said that government would from Friday, July 16 commence the removal of such affected vehicles at the expense of owners.
“The two weeks ultimatum given owners of abandoned broken down vehicles on the streets and roads in Abakaliki expired today, Wednesday, July 12.
“The governor in his magnanimity has given owners of such affected vehicles another two days to clear them off the streets and roads of Abakaliki.
“We are going round the capital city to monitor the compliance to this executive order.
“ Abandoned vehicles not removed by their owners will be removed by us, but the owners will bear the cost of removing such vehicles.
“We don’t want abandoned broken down vehicles to litter the streets and roads of the state capital because they constitute environmental hazards.
“Residents can also convert such abandoned broken down vehicles to refuse dump sites, while hoodlums will use them as hideouts to launch attacks on unsuspecting members of the public at night.
“Again allowing abandoned broken down vehicles to litter the streets and roads of the metropolis will affect the aesthetic beauty of the city, ” Emegha-Okoro said.
The governor’s aide also warned vulcanizers and automobile mechanics who practice their trades along the major streets and roads of the state capital to relocate to government approved sites.
He restated government’s commitment to a sustainable urban renewal programme, and appealed to residents to ensure that they regularly keep their environment and surroundings clean and shun dumping of refuse on waterways.
