Newspaper Vendors decry attack on members

…As Govt accuse vendors of obstructing traffic

By Felix Oti, Awka

The Newspaper Vendors and Distributors Association in Awka, Anambra state has cried out over confiscation and damage of news-stands by government operatives in the state capital.

The Association decried what they described as humiliation and destruction of their properties in the state.

Over the weekend, a combined team of Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra (OCHA) Brigade and Awka Capital Development Authority (ACTDA) invaded the popular  Aroma Junction, destroying a Newspaper stand that belongs to one of the News vendors, Madam Nancy.

According to the Chairman Of Newspaper Vendors Association, Awka chapter,  Mr Ifeanyi Nwafor, “I am dumbfounded on the extent of damage and attack by the agents of the Anambra state Government. How can they embark on wanton destruction of our properties without notice. We are law abiding citizens, doing our normal business all these years in the state without having issues with anybody.

“They started this humiliation since two weeks now and we went to their office at Agu Awka to find out reason for such attack but they denied us access to the office.

“We only heard from grapevine that we are blocking road which is not true. These are new stands that have been there for decades.

“We are  just disseminating information. Even inside that Government house, there is a news-stand there, why clamping on us?” He queried.

The Managing Director of Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA), Mr Ossy Onuko, reacting said the ACTDA will not allow vendors and traders to obstruct free flow of traffic on the road.

He alleged that some of the news Vendors also offer POS services which, according to him, is not acceptable.