Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, has suspended all activities of the Imo State Environmental Transformation Commission (ENTRACO) with immediate effect, following the sorrowful and tragic incident in the state, that left one person dead and another critically injured in the process.
The suspension, announced yesterday, came after reports linked ENTRACO officials to a road mishap during an enforcement operation around the St. Mulumba–Akachi axis of Owerri, Imo State.
In a statement made available to newsmen and signed by the chief press secretary and special adviser to the governor, on Media, Hon. Oguwike Nwachuku, the governor stressed that the decision was taken in view of the gravity of the incident and other similar complaints that had trailed ENTRACO’s mode of operation in recent times.
He said, “Effective immediately, Governor Hope Uzodimma has suspended all activities connected to the operations of ENTRACO till further notice. This follows reports of a fatal incident linked to ENTRACO operations, which claimed a life and left another person hospitalized.”
The governor, however, acknowledged growing public concerns over the conduct of the agency’s officials, highlighting that government would no longer tolerate acts that bring its institutions into disrepute.
Uzodimma assured residents that the matter would be thoroughly investigated and appropriate actions taken against those found culpable.
The governor cautioned that the suspension of ENTRACO should not be misinterpreted as a licence for residents to disregard environmental and traffic laws.
“Members of the public must continue to obey all rules and regulations. Anyone found violating such laws will face the full weight of the law”.
This suspension marked a major disciplinary measure against ENTRACO, since its establishment, and this surfaced against the backdrop of mounting outrage over the agency’s perceived recklessness and nonchalant attitude towards road users in the state.
