By Our Correspondent
Following the inability of the contractors handling evacuation of refuse in Calabar metropolis to meet their obligations in line with the terms of agreement, Cross River State Government has announced an immediate termination of their contracts.
It will be recalled that Governor Ben Ayade, shortly on assumption of office three months ago, during a tour of the metropolis gave the contractors three months ultimatum to improve on the sanitary condition of the metropolis with the view to restoring its rightful status as the cleanest and greenest state in the country which they fail.
The governor, who expressed disappointment at the level of evacuation by the firms in Calabar South and some parts of Calabar Municipality, Monday, said government will no longer tolerate the inadequacies of the contractors and is now fully ready to take over the evacuation exercise forthwith.
To this end, he has directed the Secretary to Government to communicate government’s decision to the affected contractors while also directing the Executive Secretary, Calabar Urban Development Authority (CUDA) to mobilize its staff and take full responsibilities of evacuating refuse on those spots with immediate effects.
Fielding questions from newsmen at one of the several spots inspected, Governor Ben Ayade said: “I have the full right within the limit of the law to terminate these contracts and I will like to take this responsibility to become responsible for financing them and make sure that the government takes full responsibility.”
Continuing he said, “Some months ago, I saw this situation and I am here again only to find out that the condition has not changed. It is an indication that they have done nothing over the situation. It is obvious that there is too much politics in government, this is not something we should do politics with, we must remain committed to the realization of our vision of growing a clean and green state.
The governor maintained: “As you can see, some of the dump sites are close to market places and this is totally unacceptable. This is the easiest way through which we can have diseases transmitted to residents that we strive to protect always, I will insist that contracts in these sites should be terminated, I will take full responsibility forthwith.”
“There are two major contractors, but this very contractor in charge of Calabar South is always implicated each time I come to inspect the area. Sometimes I drive silently without anybody knowing to the sites, and this is what I get each time I embark on such trips. This is totally unacceptable, I have to tolerate him for four months now, but I cannot take it anymore because we must fix back this city and give it its befitting right of place.” The governor said.
In a related development, the Governor has also directed owners of petrol stations in the state to ensure that fuel is sold to motorists and members of the public at the approved pump-price of N87 per liter.
The Governor’s directive, which was contained in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media and Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Christian Ita, warned that defaulting petrol stations will face severe sanctions as prescribed by relevant laws.
Governor Ayade therefore, urged motorists and the public to be vigilant and report any defaulting petrol station to his office by calling the State Security Adviser on this phone number: 08037134740.
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