The city of Calabar is widely recognized as one of the cleanest cities in Nigeria, earning national acclaim for its environmental sanitation and aesthetic appeal. However, little attention has been given to the individuals responsible for maintaining this standard.
Our correspondent took to major roads across the city to get a glimpse of those behind the daily sweeping (predominantly women).
In separate interviews, the women expressed deep passion for their work, noting that their motivation comes from seeing the roads clean during the day and the pride they feel when Calabar is recognized nationally for its cleanliness.
Despite their dedication, the sweepers highlighted several welfare challenges. These include a monthly salary of ₦10,000, lack of proper healthcare, and poor security conditions. They also revealed that they are responsible for purchasing their own work tools, such as brooms and packers, from their already limited income.
Our correspondent reports that these women begin their duties as early as 5 a.m. on weekdays and 6 a.m. on Saturdays, underscoring their commitment to keeping the city clean.
SUCCESS STORY
Following our attempt to amplify the voices of these women as they shared their plights and made their demands through one of our episodes on the weekly program, Cross River Speaks, the authorities stepped in promptly and approved an increase in their monthly salary from ₦10,000 to ₦20,000.
In appreciation, the women expressed gratitude to the government and relevant stakeholders for responding to their concerns and improving their welfare.
Broom is 5-500, one week broom done finish, one week broom done finish, as we pray we cry you come add us 10,000 again, e come be 20000. That’s why we say make we thank you”, one of the women said.
“They’ve heard our cry, our lamenting, they’ve wiped out tears away from us,” another said
“Enough credit that we were owing, We’ve succeeded to pay some, some have remained, I know we’ll pay it all. My house rent that I was saying before, it was expired. Talk about my children, but now I’ve given the man 60000… I said let him wait, until them pay salary this month,” she added.
The women also reaffirmed their commitment to their duties, expressing pride in their role in maintaining the city’s reputation.
“I know that Calabar is the most beautiful state”, one of them said.
‘It’s me that make the road clean now, it’s me that made the road clean.
That is why I no dey leave my portion, my portion is always swept, is always clean, because I used to come work every day.
The work is helping me,” one of the women said.
“The Calabar is clean, the women are happy to do the work,” she concluded
@Ota Udeh
@Somkelechi Chibueze
