By Juliana Nwachukwu
In his bid to emulate Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State, on clean, green and sustainable environment, the chairman of Old Motor Car Dealers Association, Mgbuka Obosi, Idemili North Local Government Area, Chief Samuel Ifurunwa, has refurbished the market abandoned refuse evacuation vehicle.
Presenting the tipper to the traders during the Friday weekly prayer session, the chairman reiterated his resolve to develop the market against all odds.
Speaking to Newsmen, he said, “Mgbuka market collectively bought this tipper for evacuation of refuse towards the end of 2014, it worked but later broke down and was parked during the time of the immediate past chairman, Chief Okechukwu Nwobodo before I took over.
“The engine, all the body parts of the vehicle, tyres were condemned and was parked. Seeing the condition of the tipper and knowing fully that our market was always dirty, I took the vehicle to a mechanic workshop on February this year.
” We spent #6-7 million for this, we bought a complete new bucket, bought half engine, put the knocked engine in order, bought seven pieces of new brand tyres, changed everything in the vehicle, both the exhaust and it turned to a new brand one.
“I am emulating our working governor and our President General, Chief Humphrey Anuna, who used to tell us do what is good in our markets, to emulate our governor who is working and work harder than the elected market chairmen,” he disclosed.
On the challenges confronting hiring refuse evacuation vehicle from companies, he said, ” We were paying #70,000 for each trip, multiplied by four trips each time they came for evacuation. That prompted my refurbishing this formerly abandoned vehicle, we spend huge sum of money only on evacuation of refuse.
”I plead with the traders to make use of the nylon bags from the state government which were shared to them for parking of their refuse and make sure they are dropped at the refuse dump site for evacuation, as defaulters will be sanctioned,” he warned.
He reiterated his readiness to ensure that the governor is re-elected come 2025, stating that Mgbuka traders are fully in support of the governor as he is working tirelessly for the development of the state especially on roads which their market entrance road benefitted.
A trader, Mr Ikenna Omeora, lauded Chief Ifurunwa and his executive members for the refuse evacuation vehicle and other roles they play in the market to take it to the next level even as he described the market chairman as a peace maker who always stands on the truth no matter whose ox is gored.
Another trader, Mr Kingsley Odo, expressed surprise on seeing the vehicle, believing it to be new brand vehicle, not knowing it is that condemned and abandoned one.
“The chairman tried very well and for this vehicle to be back to this grade, I know that millions of naira must have been involved,” he stated
He thanked the market chairman for the market cleanliness, saying that he does not play with the sanitation day as he always makes sure that each market line partakes and drops her refuse at the appropriate places for disposal.
” If you see somebody who doesn’t play with cleanliness, you will know”,he explained.
