The Cross River State governor, Bassey Otu has in a statement, warned residents to desist from indiscriminate dumping of refuse as defaulters, no matter how highly placed, will be prosecuted.
He gave the warning while issuing new guidelines for waste disposal as part of efforts to restore the clean and green status of the city.
According to the new guidelines, all refuse disposal by residents must be carried out between the hours of 6p.m. and 10p.m. daily.
Otu said this is to give room for evacuators who are expected to effect the final clearance of such waste from dumpsters to designated disposal points.
“The new regulated waste disposal routine, if strictly adhered to, will allow for effective and efficient monitoring of indiscriminate refuse disposal by some residents.
“It will also ensure a robust evacuation by relevant government agencies,” he said.
The governor, who frowned at the indiscriminate dumping of refuse especially into drainages, directed the state Waste Management Agency to live up to its responsibility of proper waste management in the metropolis.
Otu directed the Calabar Urban Development Authority (CUDA) to effectively mobilise its staff in their day-to-day cleaning of streets and desilting of gutters where necessary to allow for easy and free flow of water in the drains.
“I urge you to cooperate with relevant government agencies in maintaining the aesthetics of the city, as well as imbibe waste disposal practices that will avert impending flood disasters as forecast by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet).
“I also want to warn the public to desist from indiscriminate dumping of refuse as all defaulters, no matter how highly placed, will be prosecuted according to the environmental law of the state,” Otu added.
Calabar, which used to be known as one of the cleanest cities in Nigeria, had in the last few years seen the rise of refuse heaps in many parts of the city.
