Cross River State Government has begun the reclamation and beautification of verges designated as Green Areas in Calabar, the state capital.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Urban Beautification and Development, Essien Eyo, disclosed this while speaking with The Guardian in Calabar on Friday.

He said the governor, Senator Bassey Otu, has approved the removal of all illegal structures in the green areas across the state to pave the way for their beautification.

Eyo said the exercise, which starts with Calabar, will be replicated in major towns across the state.

He explained that the state initially carved out some areas because of their peculiarity and designated them as relaxation and leisure parks for citizens who need to sit out.

The Special Adviser, however, lamented that over time, the green areas have been illegally taken over by petty traders and artisans who use them to conduct business which has distorted the design and esthetics of such towns, especially Calabar, the state capital.

He said the exercise Is not meant to witch hunt anybody, and as a very responsible government the state is trying to restore the esthetics of Calabar and indeed all the major towns across the state and make them conducive for the influx of tourists into the state

?As the preferred tourism destination in not only Nigeria but the West African sub-region, we must maintain our status as the cleanest and green environment, a peaceful and secured state in Nigeria conducive for local and international business and leisure,? he said.

He advised the displaced traders and artisans to relocate their businesses to alternate designated markets provided by the government. (The Guardian)