The Cross River State Government has inaugurated a Special Environmental Task Force to strengthen the enforcement of environmental laws and tackle environmental offences across the state.
The move follows the dissolution of the previous environmental task force and is part of the administration's renewed efforts to create a cleaner, healthier and more orderly environment for residents.
Speaking during the inauguration on behalf of Governor Bassey Otu, the Commissioner for Environment, Moses Osogi, said the new task force would focus on curbing indiscriminate waste disposal, removing illegal structures blocking roads and walkways, addressing roadside trading, and enforcing compliance with environmental regulations across the state.
Osogi said the initiative reflects the government's commitment to protecting public health and ensuring that communities remain clean and habitable. He urged members of the task force to carry out their responsibilities with professionalism, fairness and integrity.
The commissioner also warned the operatives against abusing their powers or using violence during enforcement exercises, stressing that every operation must be guided by the law and respect for the rights of residents.
According to him, members of the task force are expected to uphold the image of the Ministry of Environment and the "Season of Sweetness" administration by conducting themselves responsibly while carrying out their duties.
Also speaking, the ministry's Legal Adviser, Daniel Ekpo, explained that the operations of the task force would be guided strictly by existing environmental laws. He stated that anyone found violating environmental regulations would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
Ekpo reminded the operatives that their responsibilities must always be discharged in the public interest and within the limits of the legal framework establishing the task force.
Chairman of the Special Environmental Task Force, Elemi Esebonu, thanked the state government for the confidence placed in the team and pledged that members would work diligently to restore environmental sanity across Cross River State.
He assured residents that the task force would enforce environmental laws without compromise while promoting a cleaner and safer environment for everyone.
Post A Comment: