Gov. Bassey Otu
In a deliberate effort to restore the aesthetics of the ancient city of Calabar, the Cross River state government has introduced new refuse disposal guideline.
Under the new guidelines as announced by the state governor, Sen. Prince Bassey Otu, all refuse disposal by residents must be carried out between the hours of 6 pm and 10 pm daily to give room for evacuators who are expected to affect the final clearance of such waste from dumpsters to designated disposal points.
A statement on Thursday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Emmanuel Ogbeche quoted the governor as saying that “The new regulated waste disposal routine if fully followed will allow for effective efficient monitoring of indiscriminate disposal of refuse by some residents as well as ensure robust evacuation by relevant government agencies.”
The Governor who frowned at the indiscriminate and unguided dumping of refuse witnessed among residents, especially those that empties them into the gutters, directed the Waste Management Agency to live up to its responsibility in ensuring proper management of all waste generated in the metropolis.
He further directed the Calabar Urban Development Authority(CUDA) to effectively mobilize its staff in their day-to-day cleaning of streets and desilting of gutters where necessary to allow for easy and free flow of water in the drains.
The governor use the occasion to remind residents of the need to cooperate with relevant government agencies in maintaining the aesthetics of the city centre as well as imbibe refuse evacuation practices that will avert impending flood disasters as forecast by the Nigerian Metrological Agency.
He however, warned the general public to desist from indiscriminate dumping of refuse as all defaulters no matter how highly placed will be prosecuted according to the environmental law of the state.
