CALABAR (CONVERSEER) – The Cross River State Government has ramped up efforts to sensitise residents of the Calabar metropolis on the state’s refuse disposal policy, as part of Governor Bassey Otu’s ongoing sanitation and urban renewal drive.
The refuse dumping policy, introduced shortly after Governor Otu assumed office on 29th May 2023, mandates that residents dispose of household waste strictly between the hours of 6:00 PM and 10:00 PM daily.
The policy is aimed at tackling the growing challenge of overloaded refuse sites, which pose serious health risks and compromise the aesthetic value of the state capital.
Speaking during an enforcement and sensitisation tour, Barr. Ekpenyong Akiba, Special Adviser to the Governor on General Duties, emphasised the importance of the policy in maintaining public health and promoting a clean, livable urban environment.
“This policy is designed to cushion the effects of unregulated waste disposal which harms not only the environment but the health and wellbeing of our citizens.
“By confining refuse dumping to a defined window, we are able to coordinate night time evacuation and ensure that residents wake up to a clean and serene environment every day,” Barr. Akiba stated.
The campaign is being spearheaded by officials of the Calabar Urban Development Authority (CUDA), alongside other relevant agencies, with enforcement teams actively engaging communities and public spaces to ensure compliance.
Akiba stressed that while the government is adopting a community friendly approach to sensitisation, enforcement measures will be strictly implemented to guarantee full adherence to the policy.
“It’s no longer business as usual,” he noted. “We want residents to understand that proper waste disposal is a shared responsibility, and Governor Otu is committed to a cleaner and healthier Cross River.”
The state government has assured that those found dumping waste outside the approved hours will face prosecution in line with environmental sanitation laws.
