By Sylvia Okoi
The Cross River State Government (CRSG), through the Ministry of Environment, has officially resumed its monthly statewide environmental sanitation exercise for 2026 following a two-month hiatus.
The exercise had been temporarily suspended in December to accommodate Christmas festivities and in January due to the conduct of the WAEC examinations.
Speaking while monitoring compliance of the exercise, the Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Moses Osogi, expressed gratitude for the exercise’s success, describing the overall level of compliance as “impressive” despite the break.
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“The sanitation culture has come to stay in Cross River State. I have been in communication with the heads of sanitation teams across the state, and it is encouraging to note that we are making steady progress,” the commissioner stated.
Despite the general success, the Commissioner decried poor compliance at the 8-Mile Market (near Agro Feed), criticizing the “recalcitrant attitude” of certain traders.
Osogi noted that previous penalties have seemingly failed to deter some offenders warning that more rigorous consequences will now be imposed on erring traders, markets, companies, and individuals to ensure the sanitation directive is strictly followed.
Honourable Commission assured residents that enhanced waste evacuation measures are now in place to maintain the State’s sanitary standards.
While commending residents at Technical Roundabout were praised and rewarded for their exceptional coordination and compliance during the exercise, Osogi who led the task team carried out the demolitions of Illegal structures were dismantled at Atimbo Roundabout and Ikot Eno-Obong.
The Commissioner urged the public to report any illegal or suspicious environmental activities to the appropriate authorities.
As the team moves round the major streets, Residents were seen participating in the cleanup emphasizing that a clean environment is vital for public health and general well-being.
However, enforcement remained active; at the time of this report, several defaulters had already been apprehended and were facing trial before the State’s Sanitation Mobile Courts.
