CRSHA Calls For Removal Of Refuse Dump In Ikom Metropolis

By Mary Bassey, House Of Assembly Correspondent

The Cross River State House of Assembly, has called for the immediate removal of refuse dumps in Ikom Local Government Area, metropolis.

The call was made during a plenary held at the Assembly complex in Calabar, where the member representing Ikom 1 State Constituency and Minority Leader, Hon. Samuel Neji Abang, called on the State Ministry of Environment, the Ikom Urban Development Authority and Waste Management Agency, to as a matter of urgency evacuate all refuse dumps within Ikom metropolis.

The motion also asked that the Ministry of Environment urgently take steps to coordinate and supervise other agencies to ensure immediate evacuation of all refuse dumps from Ikom and funds be provided for the Ikom Urban Development Authority to regularly  evacuate refuse from Ikom.

Abang emphasized the need for Ikom LGA, viewed as the second cosmopolitan town in the state, to be clean.

His words: “Ikom is the second cosmopolitan town after Calabar in the State with very high economic activities which contribute greatly to the revenue profile of the State so there is a need to maintain a clean and green Environment,” Abang said.

He expressed that the sight of refuse dumps in Ikom town has become an embarrassment to the State, as the dumps which are along Calabar road, Ogoja road and environs are an eye-sour.

The House noted that the presence of the refuse dumps are capable of causing epidemics and other health challenges for the residents of Ikom and its environs.

The Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, recalled the death of his supporters during his political campaign, who was crushed by a truck diverting from the refuse dumps along the route.

He expressed gratitude to the Lawmakers for their overwhelming support for the motion.