The Cross River State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable waste management and the adoption of environmentally friendly solutions through strategic partnerships.
Governor Bassey Otu, represented by his deputy, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, made this known on Thursday when he received a delegation from Tearfund at the Glass House, Government House, Calabar.
He emphasized that under Governor Otu’s leadership, the state has been intentional about waste reduction, recycling promotion, and fostering a culture of sustainability. He noted that these efforts would not only enhance environmental conservation but also generate employment opportunities for the state’s youth, reinforcing Cross River’s commitment to a cleaner and greener future.
Governor Otu further stated that partnerships like this are key to the government’s vision of turning waste into wealth by stimulating the growth of the SME sector.
He urged all stakeholders to collaborate for the success of the initiative, emphasizing that achieving a cleaner and more sustainable state requires collective action. He also assured the Tearfund team of the government’s unwavering support and the provision of a conducive environment for their initiatives to thrive.
He commended Tearfund for choosing to invest in the state by establishing a recycling infrastructure but stressed that it would no longer be business as usual for any individual or organization that secures a partnership, acquires land for a specific purpose, and then repurposes it for something else.
Earlier, Mr. George Songu, Programme Development and Partnership Manager of Tearfund, explained that their visit to the Governor of Cross River State and other key stakeholders was aimed at exploring potential partnerships to scale up the organization’s environmental and economic sustainability intervention through the “Waste to Wealth” initiative.
He highlighted the importance of collaboration in tackling plastic pollution in Cross River State, stating that the project would create significant economic and social benefits, including job creation, wealth generation, and unemployment reduction. He further noted that the partnership would focus on capacity building, investment in recycling infrastructure (plant) , and public sensitization to promote eco-friendly practices.
“Cross River State is strategically positioned to collect and process plastic waste from states in the South-South geopolitical zone,” Mr. Songu stated.
In attendance were the Advocacy Manager of Tearfund, Ben Osawe, Director General of MEDA, Mr. Great Ogban, Special Adviser to the Governor on Gender Mainstreaming, Dr. Inyang Asibong, and other government officials and Tearfund representatives.
Deputy Governor’s Press Unit,
Government House, Calabar
