Commissioner for Environment, Hon Mfon Bassey, has called on stakeholders and management of Calabar Municipal Council to support government in its quest to maintain and sustain the aesthetics of the state capital.
The Commissioner made the call during a meeting with stakeholders and management of Calabar Municipal Council held at the local government headquarters.
According to the Commissioner, the meeting was to seek collaboration with stakeholders and management in terms of general cleanliness and restructuring of the state on already defaced areas within the local government area.
“Cross River still remain the cleanest, greenest and the safest state in Nigeria, what we are doing is to maintain and sustain what is already in place and also restore the ones trampled upon”, he said.
The Commissioner frowned at unwholesome attitudes of some residents who are in the habit of illegal allocation of business premises to traders without recourse on the impacts on the environment and the lives of the people, adding that the efforts to clean and restore the affected areas was not to displease or deny anybody food but rather ensure things are done and in the correct manner.
“We are trying to tell people that as you do business, mind the drains, green areas, open spaces and more that are earmarked by government to enhance the beauty of the state”, he added.
He decried the wanton sporadic sprouting of roadside market without minding the moving vehicles and high tension cables, stating that although one is struggling for survival, caution must be taken to ensure safety.
According to him, areas most affected are; Ika Ika Qua market, 8 miles, Nigerian Port Authority and Marian by Jahaz Hotels, adding that the ministry will the affected locations to enlighten the people on the need to relocate to the right places for business rather than roadsides, walkways, drainages and other illegal areas.
“We want to instill on the people right and friendly environmental attitudes, standards and best practices”.
He drew stakeholders attention to the ravine at Esuk Otu Community which he said was man-made, stating that in attempts to reclaim, the ministry has resolved to use it as temporary dump site with the approval of the community.
Further, while responding to reactions, the Commissioner stated that Governor Ben Ayade was passionate about the welfare of the people, adding that the 2019 Carnival theme “Humanity” is a reflection of his policy thrust “.
He appealed to stakeholders and management to carry the enlightenment to their subjects for enhanced behavioural change.
On his part, the member representing Calabar Municipality in the Cross River State House of Assembly, Hon. Efa Esua, bemoaned the wanton defacements of the metropolis by unauthorized business locations.
Recalling the original plan of the Ika Ika Qua market, the lawmaker said it was structured to have a school, bank, park, canteen and police post, lamenting that the illegal allocation of the market by saboteurs had led to non existence of the market requirements, maintaining that road side businesses must not be tolerated in order to avoid unforseen circumstances.
Earlier in her opening remarks, the Head of Local Government Administration (HOLGA), Calabar Municipality, Mrs. Christiana Elemi, said that the city of Calabar has been distorted through trading in unauthorized locations and other factors.
Also speaking, the Ndidem of the Qua Nation and Paramount Ruler Calabar Municipality, His Royal Majesty Dr. Patrick Oquagbor, lauded the Commissioner for the initiative to interface with stakeholders in the areas to find lasting solution to environmental decay.
He said for any meaningful development to take place, people must complain but there must be alternative measure to cushion the effect of the action, while appealing to the Commissioner for an alternate market site to reduce the hurt inflicted by the looming demolition.
In their separation contributions, some of the clan heads blamed the persistent illegalities on lack of commitments and political will to make a change, adding that to ensure sustainability there must be enforcement of resolutions.
They decried non remittance of levies collected from the markets to the Local Government while calling on the ministry to find solution to the liquid waste discharged by flour mills which is hazardous to health.