By Sylvia Okoi
In a renewed push to achieve full compliance with its monthly environmental sanitation exercise, the Cross River State Ministry of Environment has unveiled plans to intensify public sensitisation across the state.
Speaking while supervising the April sanitation exercise in Calabar metropolis, the Team Lead, Mr. Dien Ugumanim, who represented the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Rosemary Onah, said the Ministry is set to adopt more proactive and far-reaching awareness strategies to drive residents’ participation.
He disclosed that a new approach had already been introduced, involving pre-sanitation street campaigns aimed at engaging residents ahead of the exercise. According to him, the strategy is designed to tackle the resistance often encountered during sanitation monitoring to ensure improved compliance.
Dien further explained that the Ministry will leverage community-based communication channels including town criers and public address systems, to disseminate information before each sanitation exercise.
Dien who serves as Director, Environmental Health and Pollution Control, commended residents who complied, particularly traders at Ikot Ishie Market. However, he revealed that enforcement measures were taken against defaulters at Marian Market, where some goods were confiscated.
“Environmental sanitation holds every last Saturday of the month from 7am to 10am. Everyone is expected to remain at home and clean their surroundings. The level of resistance we saw today shows we need to do more in terms of awareness,” he said.
At the 8 Miles Agro Field Market, officials expressed concern after discovering that several traders were conducting business during sanitation hours, contrary to regulations.
Despite the temporary relaxation of movement restrictions due to the ongoing JAMB examinations, many residents were observed cleaning their environment, while ministry trucks evacuated waste from key areas, including Army Junction.
The sanitation team, made up of staff and management of the Ministry of Environment, non-governmental organizations, security personnel, and volunteers, has steadily shown resilience in fulfilling its mandate.
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