The Student Union Government (SUG) of the University of Calabar, has solicited the support of the Cross River State Ministry of Environment for its proposed Operation Clean Up UNICAL Hostel, scheduled for November.
The SUG President, Comrade Ebong Vordina, who led a delegation on a courtesy visit to the Commissioner for Environment, Barr. Bassey Mensah in his office in Calabar, said the initiative was aimed at improving sanitation in the university hostels and providing students with a clean, conducive and habitable environment.
Vordina appealed to the Ministry to support the exercise with manpower and facilities to ensure its successful implementation.
Responding, the Commissioner said the Ministry was already carrying out environmental intervention works, including the desilting of drainages, but noted that shortage of equipment remained a challenge.
He assured the students of the Ministry's readiness to collaborate with the university, adding that he would engage the Vice-Chancellor on the necessary arrangements, while the Ministry would provide manpower for the exercise.
Barr. Mensah also expressed concern over trading activities at the university's main entrance, describing the practice as inappropriate for an institution of learning. He stressed the need to maintain a clean and orderly environment around the university entrance.
By Sylvia Okoi
