RIWAMA boss warns Rivers people against illegal dumping of refuse
Amaka Agbu, Port Harcourt
The Sole Administrator of the Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA) Chief Felix Obuah, has warned those dumping refuse along the open strips in the state, particularly the Njemanze Street, Mile One Diobu axis of Port Harcourt, to desist from such acts or face arrest and prosecution.
Chief Obuah in a statement in Port Harcourt, capital city of Rivers State, lamented that mountains of refuse were growing on daily basis at the area, warning that machineries have been put in place to arrest the defaulters whom, he said, would serve as deterrents.
Most worrisome, according to the RIWAMA boss, are the activities of Sewage business operators who have turned the area to a ground for evacuation of excreta and other wastes.
The RIWAMA boss noted that the Agency has repeatedly placed advertorials, jingles, messages, and awareness campaigns advising residents and those doing business in the State to dispose wastes only at approved receptacles, but these efforts apparently fell on deaf ears.
He emphasized that there were no RIWAMA approved dumpsites or receptacles in the whole strip of Njemanze Street, urging residents and those doing business in and around the area to locate approved receptacles close to their homes and business places to dispose of their refuse.
“Njemanze Street has become an eyesore because of people who have turned the area to a dumpsite for refuse and excreta. This is appalling and would not be tolerated by RIWAMA,” he fumed.
While regretting that the arbitrary dumping of wastes at Njemanze Street would add to defacing of Port Harcourt and frustrate the efforts of the State government to return the State capital to its Garden City status, Chief Obuah called on residents within and outside the area to reciprocate the efforts of Governor Nyesom Wike who, he said, had given all necessary support to the agency, to keep the State clean at all times.
“Aside defacing the aesthetic look of the area, the large concentration of excreta and other wastes in the area would pose serious threat to the health of residents and people doing business in that environment,” Chief Obuah stated, adding that all hands must be on deck to ensure a garbage-free Rivers State.
