The Cross River State Government has arrested over 40 environmental offenders during enforcement operations across Calabar Municipal and Calabar South areas as part of intensified efforts to enforce participation, tackle indiscriminate waste disposal, sanitize the environment and curb illegal activities and other environmental  offences.

The exercise was carried out on Saturday by the State Ministry of Environment led by the Commissioner, Hon Moses Osogi in collaboration with security organisations.

Speaking during the exercise, the Commissioner said the ministry’s Task Force team apprehended over 30 suspects during surveillance operations at various locations in Calabar Municipality and Calabar South including the popular Watt and Ika Ika Oqua Markets popularly known as Marian market as well as the Suya Acrade axis of Bogobiri Street.

He said that the suspects were arrested for offences including indiscriminate waste disposal, dirty and unkempt environment, trading during the hours of the monthly environmental sanitation and other environmental infractions, adding that they would be prosecuted in accordance with the environmental laws of Cross River State.

Osogi said “environmental protection is a shared responsibility, and we encourage residents to emulate this example by coming out, not only during environmental sanitation days, but regularly to keep their environment clean in line with the state government clean and green programme, adding that together, we can build a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable Cross River”.

The Commissioner who described the indiscriminate dumping of refuse into drainage channels, road medians, sidewalks and other unauthorised locations as unacceptable, warned that such practices obstruct drainage systems, increase flood risks, degrade the environment and pose serious public health risks.

He said the arrests formed part of the Cross River State Government’s sustained enforcement campaign to strengthen compliance with environmental laws, eliminate illegal waste disposal across the state as well as discourage illegal structures on road medians, sidewalks and other unauthorised locations.

Osogi added that surveillance and enforcement operations would continue in collaboration with relevant environmental and security agencies, urging residents, businesses and institutions to patronise only their assigned Private Sector Participants (PSPs) and report environmental violations through official government channels.

He reaffirmed the state’s commitment to maintaining a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable environment through consistent enforcement, public engagement and inter-agency collaboration.

Also speaking, Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment  Hon. Patrick Egbede described the state of the market as “very, very disheartening,” warning that selling food on waste could lead to food poisoning.

“What I have seen here can cause disease. You don’t buy what you want to eat and it turns in your belly. This is about your health, not government,” Egede said.

He stated that the exercise reflects the Cross River State Government’s commitment to maintaining public order, protecting the environment, and ensuring a cleaner, safer, and more secure Cross River for residents.

Some of the traders who spoke blamed Calabar Municipal Council for the poor sanitary condition of the market. They say the local council area charge them so much on monthly basis for sanitation and cleaning of the market and wondered why they should be held liable for the shortcomings of the council.

Those whose market wares were  seized by the task force for displaying them on the drainage channels, road medians, sidewalks and other unauthorised locations, appealed to the state government to make shops available for them inside the market to avoid such unnecessary confrontation.