A mild schemish ensured at the Amawbia Roundabout where staff of Awka Capital Territory Development Authority went to clear the debris at the scene of a recent accident involving a Truck laden with petrol, that killed some of people.

Some residents and business owners in the area resisted the move and the ACTDA  personel left the area for fear of violence.

On arrival, ABS observed that some shops around the place that were not burnt down are marked for removal by the Awka Capital Territory Development Authority.

Speaking, one of the business owners, Mrs. Clementina Obi said that they have been doing business there for more than seven years without disturbance, and lamented that the decision to  relocate them would have adverse affects on their business.  

However, a resident who spoke to the ABS off camera pointed out that the exercise is long over due as some of the people operating businesses along that road obstruct traffic and cause obstruction,  as they sometimes do business right on the road, nothing that it is risky for everyone such as drivers and other road users.

ABS met a bread supplier with their van, Miss Blessing Nnaji and she said that her business of supplying bread has been affected as she now witness low patronage, saying that she usually sell off her goods before nine o’clock in the morning, which is no longer the case.  

Reacting to the development, the Managing Director of Awka Capital Territory Development Authority, Venerable Amaechi Okwuosa explained that the action of the ACTDA was in line with their mandate of keeping the City clean, healthy and safe for ndi Anambra.

Venerable Okwuosa  explained that in August 2018, he paid a visit to business owners and hawkers in the area and asked them to vacate for their own safety, which was not heeded and  instead of doing so, many of them built additional structures, even without approval.

He regretted that people took laws into their hands and threaten some staff of the agency, adding that public safety should not be compromised.

Recall that before now, State government banned street trading across the state.