Cross River to establish Environment Court

The Cross River Government on Thursday said it would soon establish an Environment Court to prosecute offenders in the state.

The Commissioner for Environment, Sandy Onoh, made the announcement while addressing newsmen on the on-going de-silting of culverts and drains in Calabar.

According to him, the court will be established to prosecute those found culpable of environmental offences.

Mr. Onoh called on residents of the state to adopt environment-friendly life styles.

The commissioner reassured the residents that the government would check flooding in the state. He also pleaded with the residents to help government to check flooding by not dumping refuse in the drains.

Mr. Onoh said that in spite of repeated calls and appeals, some residents still dump refuse in drains, noting that the action has exposed lives and property to the menace of flooding.

Gabriel Egari, Executive Secretary of the Calabar Urban Development Authority, called for attitudinal change among residents of the city.

He said the de-silting exercise is being done on daily basis, following an approval granted by the government.

Mr. Egari noted that the exercise is concentrated on flood prone areas but that it would soon cover the entire city.