Cross River government announces compulsory sanitation in markets

The increasing refuse hips that has occupied major markets in Calabar Metropolis has prompted the government of Cross River State to institute a general sanitation in all markets in Calabar to be held every Saturday of the month till December 2023.

The announcement is contained in a press release signed by the state commissioner for Environment, Honourable Moses osogi notifying all market leaders, traders and the general public of the clean- up exercise.

He said the sanitation in all markets in Calabar shall commence on Saturday 9th September 2023 between the hours of 7:00am to 9:00am.

The commissioner said all should be duly informed as failure to comply will attract severe fines and penalties accordingly.

A visit to popular watt market and Ika-Ika Oqua Market by a team of newsmen revealed that frantic effort was made by traders too assist refuse trucks hired by the government to evacuate refuse deposited within and in gutters around the market precinct. The compliance was high as monitored by the health commissioner and his team.

Efforts to talk with officials from the state Ministry of Environment who were monitoring the exercise was not possible as at time of filing this report.

Calabar, the canaan city is yet to revert to it’s hitherto status of being the cleanest city and the nation’s tourism destination despite efforts by the Otu led administration to remove the monumental garbage heaps adorning the streets of Calabar dumped by residents who have defied repeated warnings to comply with laid down instructions on refuse disposal given by relevant sanitation authorities.

By: Archibong Emmanuel
(Snr. Reporter)