CROSS RIVER, CALABAR – The Cross River State Government has announced stricter enforcement of refuse disposal hours in a bid to reduce public health hazards and improve city hygiene.
According to a notice issued by the Office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on General Duties, residents are only permitted to dump refuse between 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. daily.
Officials say this measure is designed to prevent waste from accumulating in public spaces during the day, a practice linked to disease outbreaks, foul odor, and blocked drainages.
“Defaulters will be penalized,” the notice warns, emphasizing that environmental health must be taken seriously for the safety of all Calabar residents.
Truth Live News learned that early morning waste disposal exposes children and vendors to harmful bacteria, especially in densely populated neighborhoods without immediate waste evacuation services.
Hon. Moses Osogi, the state’s Commissioner for Environment, in a separate announcement dated July 22, urged residents to comply with the July sanitation exercise and evacuate waste responsibly.
He stated, “Business owners and residents must clean their surroundings and drainages to reduce health risks. Refuse left unattended breeds mosquitoes, rodents, and airborne illnesses.”
Movement will be restricted from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 26, to allow for focused environmental clean-up, with exceptions for essential workers.
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Osogi stressed that defaulters of both the dumping schedule and sanitation participation “would be prosecuted,” adding that compliance is key to maintaining a hygienic and livable city.
Health experts have long warned that improper waste handling fuels diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and malaria, particularly in tropical urban settings with poor sanitation infrastructure.
The state government’s renewed emphasis on controlled refuse disposal aligns with global health recommendations urging cities to manage waste as a core public health responsibility.
Environmental advocates have praised the effort but called for more public awareness campaigns and prompt waste collection to complement the enforcement drive.
