Ocha Brigade Fires Back at Facebook Critic, Insists Anambra Environmental Laws Must Be Obeyed
The Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra (OCHA) Brigade Agency has defended its enforcement of environmental laws in the state, dismissing claims by a Facebook user, Ezeala N, that the government failed to provide adequate public facilities before arresting environmental offenders.
Ezeala had, in a Facebook post, criticised the agency for arresting people over open defecation, urination at unauthorised locations and indiscriminate waste disposal, arguing that the Anambra State Government had not provided public toilets, designated urination points and waste disposal facilities or created sufficient public awareness for people visiting the state.
However, in its response, OCHA Brigade described the claims as false, misleading and an attempt to discredit the state government, insisting that the availability of public facilities does not excuse anyone from complying with environmental laws.
The agency expressed concern that Ezeala, despite claiming not to support open defecation, indiscriminate waste disposal and urination at unauthorised locations, had proceeded to justify such offences on the grounds that the government had not provided the necessary facilities.
“If truly you are not undermining the laws of Anambra State and you are not among those who want lawlessness to thrive, why should you go on social media to claim government did not provide this or that?” the agency queried it said.
OCHA Brigade maintained that the state government had provided several public toilet facilities at Upper Iweka and along the Bridge Head Expressway, which it said were functional and accessible to members of the public.
It also disclosed that the agency had provided mobile waste bins at strategic locations across Upper Iweka and its environs to facilitate proper waste disposal.
According to the agency, the continued violation of environmental regulations in the area stems largely from irresponsibility and negligence on the part of individuals who refuse to use the available facilities.
“A responsible person who is new in any environment will ask where to ease himself or where to dispose of his waste, but people like him will intentionally misbehave because they believe Anambra has no law,” the agency stated.
On the issue of public awareness, OCHA Brigade said it had consistently sensitised residents, visitors and other members of the public to the prohibition of open defecation, urination at unauthorised locations and indiscriminate waste disposal.
It explained that the awareness campaigns had been carried out through social media, radio and other public enlightenment channels, describing Ezeala’s claim that the government had failed to educate the public as mischievous.
The agency challenged the Facebook user to use the same platform through which he raised the allegations to inform the public about the availability of public toilets at Upper Iweka and along the Bridge Head Expressway.
It further urged him to educate visitors to Onitsha, particularly those arriving at Upper Iweka, to make enquiries about the public toilet facilities and look out for the mobile waste bins provided for proper waste disposal.
Addressing concerns about the dirty state of Upper Iweka, OCHA Brigade attributed the situation to the deliberate refusal of some individuals to comply with environmental regulations, particularly by dumping refuse indiscriminately.
The agency said it had been working to address the problem through the enforcement of environmental laws but maintained that its efforts could only succeed if members of the public fulfilled their responsibility by using the facilities provided and complying with the regulations.
Reaffirming its commitment to environmental sanitation, OCHA Brigade declared that it would not abandon its statutory responsibilities because of criticism or what it described as propaganda.
“OCHA Brigade will not abdicate its statutory duty of keeping Anambra clean and livable because of his propaganda and that of his cohorts. Anambra State environmental law must be obeyed,” the agency stated.
