The Cross River Government has commenced desilting gutters in Calabar South to avert flooding, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.
The desilting will also create sanity and promote healthy living in Calabar South as dirt was removed from the gutters.
The State Commissioner for Environment, Mr Mfon Bassey, who spoke on Tuesday in Calabar on the sidelines of an inspection of the ongoing work, said the objective was to open the gutters for free flow of water to the channels.
Bassey said that the State Governor, Prof. Ben Ayade, had a passionate desire to sustain a clean and green environment free from flooding.
The commissioner explained that over 100 youths from the area were been engaged to work at various locations in Calabar South.
“The desilting, which started from Anantigha in Calabar South, through New Airport Road and adjoining streets, will go round in all affected areas in Calabar South to allow for free flow of water promote healthy living.
“I want to commend the state governor for his commitment to sustaining the clean and green status of the state.
“I also want to advise residents in Calabar South to stop dumping their refuse inside the gutters; when the gutters are completely blocked, it may lead to flooding,” he said.
The workers, who are youths from Calabar South, thanked the state government for engaging them to work and earn some stipends.
A resident of New Airport road, Mr Bassey Otu, commended the state government and the commissioner for the environment to sustain the state’s clean and green status.
Edited By: Edwin Nwachukwu/Wale Ojetimi (NAN)
