By Balimwor Ekpe
The Cross River State Government has issued a stern warning to Religious bodies in the state against flouting sanitation law.
The State Government issued the warning through the Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Moses Osogi when he was supervising and monitoring the May edition of the state wide Environmental Sanitation exercise, Saturday, in Calabar Metropolis.
Addressing Journalists during the exercise, Osogi stated that it is against the scriptures for religious bodies to disobey Government orders, explaining that even the Bible directs believers to obey constituted authority.
The Commissioner frowned at some Christian Denominations that were seen conducting church services during the sanitation period, reiterating the State Government’s stance on prosecuting defaulters to sanitation law in the state.
He described their act as fragrant disregards to constituted authority and must be made to face full wrath of the law .
Rating the May’s exercise as highly progressive, Hon. Osogi thanked traditional Monarchs for their continuous sensitization and mobilization of community members to actively participate in the sanitation exercise.
At Kasuk Community, the Environment Commissioner solicited the support of citizens in consolidating the State’s Government efforts by actively contributing their quota by keeping their immediate surroundings clean at all times.
He praised Governor Prince Bassey Edet Otu for the laudable vision to restore Calabar to its clean and green status and called on residents to support the government to achieve this.
The Clan Head of Kasuk Qua Clan 1, His Royal Highness, Ntoe Patrick Agbor Okon Edem pointed out that the monthly sanitation has in many ways improved the living conditions of citizens as the environment now wears a fresher look while assuring the Commissioner of his community’s support in ensuring cleanliness of the area.
All defaulters during this month’s sanitation exercise were arraigned, tried and prosecuted at the State’s Mobile Courts.
