By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

The Anambra State government has announced its plans to punish people making bonfires on tarred roads in the state, which they often described as a way of welcoming the new year.

It also warned against such acts of destruction and vandalism under the guise of celebrating the Yuletide and urged leaders of neighbourhoods and communities to play active frontline roles in ensuring that such acts do not happen this season.

Bonfire is a kind of tradition done yearly on the roads to send forth the outgoing year and usher in the new one, but over time, it has been found to cause damage to tarred roads.

Stating this in a press release in Awka on Thursday, the Managing Director of Anambra State Civic and Social Reformation Office (ANCISRO), Mr. Chuks Nnabuife said that such activities are detrimental to the lifespan of roads already constructed by the state government.

He said: ?As natives and residents of Anambra celebrate the festivities on the Christmas and New Year season, Anambra State Civic and Social Reformation Office (ANCISRO) urge them to celebrate wisely without embarking on any activity that will hinder the current progress in infrastructural development in the state.

?Setting up bonfires on tarred roads is one of the fast ways to draw back the development. Burning tyres, woods, and all sorts of items on tarred roads is a fast way of destroying the roads. No level of festive mood justifies such insensitive action as the roads cost the state and communities very huge amounts of money and time achieve.

"Recent time, especially within the last two and half years, Anambra State has reaped huge infrastructural benefits in all her 21 local government areas (LGAs).

?These are as a result of the grace of God, good governance and the focus on people?s wellbeing by the Solution Government of Gov. Chukwuma Charles Soludo.?

The agency cited roads construction as one of the most notable achievements of the Soludo administration, insisting that it is costing government heavily to put up such construction, hence, it should not be destroyed by mere euphoria of celebration mood.

He added: "Tarred roads are opened or opening up in many towns across the urban areas and hinterlands of the state. The roads cost the state very huge sums to build and maintain. They also help in the growth of the economy of the state while contributing to several other factors in the development of the land.

?ANCISRO has set up a mechanism to monitor and note streets, communities and roads where such bonfires take place, and forward culprits to appropriate agencies for necessary sanctions."

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