The Cross River Government has acquired 20 trucks and 200 waste collection bins as part of its efforts to ensure efficient waste evacuation and management in Calabar.

The Commissioner for Environment, Mr Mike Eraye, made the disclosure on Wednesday in Calabar in an interview with newsmen.

He said: “We have just taken delivery of a batch of over 20 evacuation trucks and 200 collection bins ordered from Innoson motors by the government.

“This is part of a well planned programme for sustainable and effective waste management system in Calabar and the state in general.”

He said that the acquisition of the trucks and bins were part of the plan to deal with the challenges affecting waste evacuation and management and restore the clean and green nature of Calabar.

“It was a follow-up to a well-planned strategy on how to keep Calabar the way it ought to be, the cleanest city in Nigeria.”

The commissioner commended Gov. Ben Ayade for funding the acquisition of the equipment worth millions of naira despite the poor state of the economy.

He said that local content policy as well as ‘Buy Naija to Grow the Naira’ initiative was considered in the purchase of the evacuation trucks from Innoson Vehicles Manufacturing Company.

“Moreover, the parts are available, the trucks are easier to maintain.

“The factory is at Nnewi, Anambra State, we have taken a decision that we will be able to sustain the equipment.”

Eraye said that the governor’s recent visit to a dumpsite, led to the acquisition of the trucks and bins as it afforded him the opportunity to assess things for himself.

“After that visit, the governor gained more insight into what the problem is; took some decisions, went to the State Executive Council and obtained approval for the purchase of the 20 trucks and over 200 collection bins.

“From today, we will start deploying some of these bins to Calabar South where the challenge is very severe.”

The commissioner also stated that the challenge of acquiring land for dumpsite was being tackled by the government.

“The land is being processed and when that is ready, the high end of waste management, which is the waste-to-wealth, waste to energy, recycling and conversion will now begin.

“We are taking that seriously and we are expecting some partners to participate in that scheme.” (NAN)

•Photo shows Governor Ayade.

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