Today is the last day in the year 2024. It ushers in the long awaited, much talked about 2025. To God be the glory that we have come, we have seen and we have conquered the dimming year.

In addition, the Yuletide is currently being celebrated with excitement and happiness by Christians and non-Christians all over the world. However, while a few persons truly appreciate the spiritual meaning of Christmas and the significance of New Year, many others are merely tickled by the socio-economic influences of the festivities.

The season is more often than not accompanied by certain extreme behavior by some people, especially in our clime. One of the unpleasant extremities associated with today as the last day of the Year is the act of irresponsible burning of disused tyres on tarred roads by the celebrants.

Despite clarion calls by governments every year on perpetrators to desist from the uncivilized and dastardly act, some people still engage in the practice.

When tyres are burnt on tarred roads, the heat and fire usually damage or melt the bitumen used for the construction of the roads.  Pot-holes always begin and expand from the spots where tyres are burnt.

This, subsequently leads to deplorable condition of such roads.  It also exacerbates  erosion menace on  roads. Decrepit roads equally contribute to fatal accidents as well as cause severe damage to vehicles. The act of tyre burning on roads is indeed very unpatriotic.

This is more so today that the present Anambra state government, led by Professor Chukwuma Soludo has invested and is still pumping billions of naira into massive road, flyover and bridge construction and rehabilitation in the state. With over seven hundred kilometers of solid road network already constructed in every nook and cranny of the state, the Soludo administration has, undoubtedly, demonstrated its genuine responsiveness to the yearnings and aspirations of Ndi Anambra.

The onus is on the governed to live up to their civic responsibilities to the society and government.  This is apparently why the present Anambra state government has, for the umpteenth period, told the citizenry to always take ownership of social amenities in their domains.

Local government mayors, all political office holders, traditional rulers, youth groups, town union executives and the church, should mobilize the various vigilante groups in their communities to guard against destruction of public property in their domains.  They should specifically nip in the bud the irresponsible inclination of some  persons to usher in the New Year with tyre burning on  tarred roads.

Another irresponsible attitude being displayed by some people is the rampant throwing of fireworks and knockouts, even in Churches when prayers are on-going. These shameful acts should not be allowed to continue to avoid  desecrating  the House of God in the name of bidding farewell to 2024.

Indeed, no effort should be spared to ensure that this year’s New Year event in  Anambra state is once again celebrated with fanfare, without destruction of lives and property through burning of tyres on  roads and indiscriminate throwing of knockouts and fireworks.

DR NNAMDI NWADIOGBU