Env. Sanitation: "We'll Restore Calabar Clean & Green Status- Mensah
Hannah ARIKPO
Cross River New Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Bassey Offiong Mensah Esq.has reiterated government's plan to restore the clean and green status of Cross River State as the cleanest city in Nigeria to the standard for which it was previously known.
The Commissioner who was speaking after carrying out inspection of the first Statewide monthly sanitation exercise after assumption of office states, "We want to return Cross River to what it used to be and recover our environment. You don't throw dirt indiscriminately, when you see a paper on the ground, water sachet pick it up, that's our thinking."
Backed by the Ministry's management Staff, the Environment boss assured of adopting the operational structure in the ministry with only a few adjustments to boost environmental activities in the state for achievable results.
"We are not going to do anything differently we are adopting the system, what my Predecessor left, but will make some minor adjustment, most importantly towards arousing that Environmental consciousness amongst Cross riverians, targeted at adding value".
Mensah promised to sustain the monthly environmental sanitation exercise with necessary inputs towards improving it's effectiveness. He explained that the government was working with the relevant waste management authorities to ensure that refuse generated during each exercise is properly evacuated from sanitation sites.
On waste evacuation, the Commissioner said the Ministry had mobilized heavy duty trucks and staff specifically designated to evacuate debris generated from desilting activities, stressing that desilting without prompt evacuation could defeat the purpose of the exercise.
He announced government's intention to establish mobile courts around major markets to ensure enforcement of environmental regulations and sanction defaulters.
warning dissident traders against displaying and selling their wares by the roadside.
"There is adequate space within the markets for traders to operate. I urge those selling by the roadside to relocate into the designated market spaces."
He frowned at traders operating under high-tension electricity lines, describing the practice as dangerous and urged them to move to safer locations.
At Howell Street Calabar South local government area, the monitoring team met a Volunteer group named the Ratel Movement engaged in serious cleaning of the area. The Commissioner commended the group for its continued commitment to environmental initiatives in the state.. He called for stronger collaboration among environmental organisations and stakeholders.
Mensah assured of plans to extend desilting and environmental intervention activities to Marian Market, Watt and 8Miles in the coming week, as
government would continue to engage residents, market unions and other stakeholders to ensure greater compliance and a cleaner environment across the state.
The Commissioner called on residents to make environmental cleanliness a personal responsibility, stressing that a clean and healthy environment requires the collective effort of its Citizens
