Stop harassment, intimidation of sanitation workers, RIWAMA tells security agents

By Ihesiulo Grace

3 February 2017

News

The Sole Administrator of the Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA), Chief Felix Obuah, has called on security agencies, especially the Police, to stop the alleged incessant arrests, harassment, and intimidation of sanitation workers who clean the city at nights.

Chief Obuah, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Jerry Needam, said the call became necessary as the alleged continual arrests and harassment of the cleaners and those who carried away refuse was capable of subverting the efforts of the agency to keep the state clean and healthy.

The Sole Administrator emphasized that the job of cleaning the City at the odd hours of the night was indispensable and should be commended, adding that those who did it ought to be appreciated rather than hounded.

Chief Obuah appealed to the police to assist the agency by ensuring that the cleaners were not molested or intimidated by residents and hoodlums who disturbed their peace and services at nights.

“Rather than these indiscriminate arrests and throwing the cleaners into the cells, any case against them should be referred to our office at Mile 4, Ikwerre Road, for immediate consideration and prompt action,” the RIWAMA boss stated.

Chief Obuah also cautioned on the implication of locking up these cleaners which, in most cases, took two to three days, warning it might lead to environmental crisis.

The Sole Administrator, however, called for urgent understanding and cooperation of security agencies in this regard, adding that the task of cleaning the environment and restoring the Garden City status of the State was a collective effort of all, including the Police and other security agencies.

“All hands must be on deck to ensure a garbage-free Rivers State, and the security agencies have a role to play in that regard,” Chief Obuah said, adding that arresting, harassing and intimidating sanitation workers who cleaned the City at night would discourage them, thereby, leaving the City littered with filths.