Cross River sanitation crew decries low compliance with sanitation directive in Ogoja
The Cross River State sanitation team, led by the Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Moses Osogi, arrived Ogoja Local Government Area on Saturday for an on-the-spot supervision of the statewide environmental sanitation exercise.
Fielding questions from Journalists after the exercise, the Commissioner expressed his disappointment on the low level of compliance observed in the area as many business owners and commuters were seen going about their routine activities thus disregarding the sanitation directive.
“I am disappointed at how people are continuing with their daily routines, seemingly oblivious to the State’s sanitation order,” he stated.
During the enforcement operation, the Environment Commissioner, accompanied by staff from his Ministry, security personnel, and members of the judiciary along with the Ogoja Urban Development Authority, conducted a thorough crackdown on defaulters saying, “The impact of our visit today will set the pace for future exercises.”
He emphasized that the law must be upheld, noting that mobile courts have been established to prosecute offenders as a deterrent to others.
He clarified that the monthly sanitation practice is intended to promote environmental sustainability for the benefit of all citizens, rather than serve as a punishment and urged collaboration between the Ogoja Urban Development Authority and security agencies in Ogoja and neighboring communities to enhance sanitation efforts.
In response, the Executive Secretary of the Ogoja Urban Development Authority (OUDA), Hon. Ama Agboje, lamented the poor behavioral attitudes towards necessary changes.
He disclosed that sensitization and awareness campaigns have been conducted across various sectors of the L.G.A. to facilitate a smoother execution of the monthly exercise and pledged to implement stricter measures while accelerating collaboration with relevant stakeholders moving forward.
He expressed gratitude to the Commissioner for the on-the-spot supervision in Ogoja, stating that the impact of the Commissioner’s visit would significantly influence enforcement against defaulters during subsequent exercises.
While the exercise was on, mobile courts were observed prosecuting offenders and educating them about the importance of the sanitation exercise in accordance with state law.
In a similar vein, the July monthly sanitation exercise was conducted in other parts of the state including Calabar the state capital led by Engr. Greg Undie Director, Flood and Erosion Control who represented the Honourable Commissioner. And while fielding questions from newsmen after the exercise, he expressed satisfaction with the level of compliance in Calabar.
Undie commended the synergy between the Calabar Urban Development Authority (CUDA) and other relevant agencies towards the success of the monthly sanitation exercise and appealed to culprits apprehended during the exercise for defaulting the sanitation order to turn a new leaf by assisting the Ministry of Environment to keep Calabar and other parts of the state clean and green.
By: Archibong Emmanuel
(Snr. Reporter)
