By Sylvia Okoi
In a renewed bid to improve environmental cleanliness and safeguard public health, the Cross River State Government has inaugurated a Special Environmental Task Force to enforce environmental laws and ensure compliance across the State.
Speaking during the inauguration in his office on Monday, the Commissioner for Environment, Barr. Bassey Offiong Mensah, charged members of the task force to demonstrate dedication, integrity and selfless service in the discharge of their duties.
The Commissioner said the team was carefully constituted with individuals of proven integrity and diverse professional backgrounds, noting that the enormous responsibilities of the Ministry of Environment could not be handled by Government alone.
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He urged the members to see their appointment as a privilege and a call to service, stressing that they must prove themselves through conduct and commitment.
In the same vein, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Rosemary Onah, congratulated the newly inaugurated members and warned them against unethical practices.
In his acceptance speech, the Chairman of the Special Environmental Task Force, Commander Maurice Eyo Asuquo, Rtd., thanked the Commissioner for the confidence reposed in him and other members of the team. He assured that they would justify the trust placed in them.
He pledged the Task Force’s commitment to maintaining high standards of service and working tirelessly to restore environmental order and cleanliness across the State.
According to the terms of reference, the Task Force is mandated to tackle environmental nuisances across the state. These include indiscriminate waste disposal in drains and along roads, illegal structures obstructing vehicular and pedestrian movement, street trading, and other environmental violations.
A major highlight of the ceremony was the administration of the oath of office on members of the Task Force by Barr. Daniel Ekpo.
The event was attended by directors and heads of departments of the Ministry.
