Environmental sanitation: CRSG reiterates commitment to improve Environmental standards

Environmental sanitation: CRSG reiterates commitment to improve Environmental  standards

 By Sylvia Okoi

The Cross River State Government through the Ministry of Environment has reiterated her avowed commitment to improving Environmental standards in the State.

The Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Moses Osogi reterated this commitment while supervising  the weekly sanitation exercise across Calabar markets to ascertain the level of compliance.

Evaluating the exercise as a serious activity, Hon. Osogi while speaking to news men in the course of the exercise,  stated that the sanitation  is geared towards actualizing the 'people's first' mantra of the State Governor, Sen. Prince Bassey Otu. In his words," what we are doing is what we  promised to do as a government. We are representing the government of the day headed by His Excellency, Sen. Prince Bassey Edet Otu. Our concern is to make sure that the people who are selling are doing so in a good environment".

Frowning at the activities of some road side sellers who are constituting incessant nuisance and obstructing the free flow of traffic along market roads, Hon. Moses ascertained that it is not the intention of the State Government to deny citizens of their sources of livelihood, but that traders who are interested in doing business must do so legally by acquiring stalls situated inside the markets.

On it's resolve to beef up Environmental standards that would meet international best practices, Hon Osogi maintained that all avenues would be deployed to restoring the clean and green status of the State. The Environment Chief Executive pointed out that, evacuation of waste and desilting of drainages were carefully carried out.

The Commissioner debunked the tales of traders who opined that there are no market stalls inside the markets, authenticating that information made available by the leadership of the Calabar Traders Association, revealed that market stalls are available in the markets.

On palliative to cushion the cost of market stall and ensuring that the common trader is able to afford sales point, Commissioner Osogi acknowledged that it is  a gradual process. He made reference to the exemplary dispositions of President Bola Tinubu, assuring that the State Governor in his magnanimity would see that everyone in the State is affected positively and called on the masses to support the developmental strides of the State Governor.

He reiterated his automatum to traders who insist on selling by the road side, stating that goods would be seized from traders as part of disciplinary measures to bring them to order.

In separate interviews, the president, Calabar Traders Association, Watt Market, Elder Ita Edem disclosed that traders in Watt Market are in total support of the exercise while thanking the State Government for the recent initiative.

Other traders also spoke in support of the exercise, appealing to the State Government to put up sustanable plans that will consolidate the exercise.

Meanwhile, in Marian market, some level of resistance were exhibited by road side business owners who deliberately obstructed  the ongoing sanitation exercise by displaying theirs goods along the pedestrian lane.

Recall that the exercise began a week ago after a stakeholders consultative meeting between the Commissioner for Environment and market leaders and the innovation has since witnessed a laudable compliance level.

The general public and traders in markets across the metropolitan city of Calabar are enjoined to adhere strictly to the new Environmental policy to avoid being charged with sanctions accordingly.