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From Judex Okoro, Calabar
Cross River House of Assembly and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have raised the alarm over backlog of unevacuated refuse currently littering the streets of Calabar metropolis.
In the last couple of months, the Canaan City noted for its green and clean environment has suddenly been turned into city of refuse as roads, streets, neighborhoods and markets have been overtaken by heaps of wastes and debris.
Areas affected mostly include Ekpo Abasi by Mayne Avenue, Ekpo Abasi Junction in front of University of Cross River State, Amica by Ete Agbor Road beside Preparatory International Nursary, Primary and Secondary School, Ekondo by Goldie Street, Uwanse Lane by Amika Utuk Street, and Watt Marlet all im Calabar South.
Others affected include Marian Market, Asari Iso Street, Eta Agbor Street and Satelite Town in Calabar Municipality.
This development has raised concern among residents who fear they may be an outbreak of epidemic if government does not find a lasting solution to refuse disposal and evacuation management.
Decrying the current unhygienic situation in Calabar metropolis, the State House of Assembly adopted a resolution inviting the commissioner for environment, General Manager of the Waste Management Agency as well as the Executive Secretary, Calabar Urban Development Agency (CUDA) to offer public explanation on why the backlog of unevacuated refuse across the metropolis.
Also to appear before the House include the chairmen of Calabar Municipality and Calabar South as well as contractors in charge of refuse disposal in the state capital.
These resolutions were taken following a matter of urgent Public Interest sponsored by Hon. Davies Etta (Abi), who lamented that the City of Calabar which was widely known and acclaimed for cleanliness is now very dirty and dotted with refuse heaps.
Etta emphasised that the environment has direct impact on the health of citizens adding that the unhygienic state of Calabar was harmful and inimical to the health of Cross Riverians.
The Lawmakers unanimously called for urgent steps to be taken to remedy the situation in order to prevent a possible outbreak of disease.
Taking a swipe at the poor handling of the environmental issues with regard to refuse evacuation,
The State chapter of PDP in a statement signed by the State Publicity Secretary, Prince Mike Ojisi, condemned strongly an attempt by Governor Ben Ayade to turn the once Nation’s Paradise into a cesspool of decrepit and putrefaction.
In the statement titled, “Cross River State: A city of refuse under Ayade,” the party expressed worry that the beloved State, which was hitherto, a tourism destination that served as vacation and refuge point
for fun-seekers, has been utterly reduced to a city of refuse.
The statement read in part: “Today in Cross River State, our roads, streets, neighborhoods, schools, hospitals, markets have been overtaken by irrepressible pungent stench emanating from wastes, refuse and debris littered all over the state.
“More worrisome is the fact that some of the secretarial building housing important ministries and agencies within the state
secretariat are not spared as we have refuse littered all over the place, even within the corridors of power.
“What else can be best defined as Incompetence and cluelessness; if not the unspeakable act of environmental degradation Cross Riverians are currently facing in the hands of Ben Ayade?
“Today in Cross River State, most of our roads are closed by dumps and heaps of refuse that we now struggle to walk on refuse dumps to access our homes.
“As a party, we call on the State Government to rise up to the demands of the moment and return our dear state the way Donald Duke and Liyel Imoke left it. We are worried of the imminent health hazard as a result of the environmental pollution today. As it stands, the state maybe sitting on a keg of gunpowder awaiting an imminent explosion of an epidemic.”
The party stated that they are determined to secure the health of our citizens and shall stop at nothing in doing so, calling on Cross Riverians to join as they “shall be rolling out Operation Clean up and Reclaim Cross
River State”.
