By Nneka Nwogwugwu
Residents have raised concerns over the late response of officials of the Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA) in evacuating refuse duly.
In Rivers State, it is a known fact that residents are allowed to dump refuse between the periods of 6PM to 6AM daily, after which RIWAMA officials will now evacuate refuse early mornings.
However, this is contrary to an announcement made last year by RIWAMA to arrest defaulters of sanitation laws.
NatureNews recalls that RIWAMA, last year, vowed to arrest and prosecute anyone that contravenes the sanitation law by not observing the monthly exercise.
Sole Administrator of RIWAMA, Felix Obuah, further warned against converting the sanitation hours of 7am to 10am into street trading, footballing and other social activities.
Obuah, in a statement said such behaviour is not only condemnable, but grossly unpatriotic, urging those who engage in the act to desist henceforth, as defaulters would be arrested and prosecuted.
He noted that the statewide sanitation exercise is a civic duty which entails the participation of people of the State for the overall health and cleanliness of the environment.
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The Sole Administrator warned that Sanitation Marshalls, in conjunction with law enforcement agencies, have been directed to monitor the roads and streets with a view to arresting and prosecuting those who engage in this unwholesome act.
But NatureNews correspondent who visited some areas in the state on Sunday, April 18, 2021 gathered that refuse are not promptly evacuated from the road pavement, which is not pleasing to the sight during the daytime.
Speaking to one of the residents at Igwuruta, who pleaded anonymity, he said, ‘’Please, is Igwuruta under RIWAMA’s control. It is sickening and heart rending, seeing the pile of wastes unattended to by refuse pickers. The ineptitude is gross and I begin to ask, why?’’
Another resident at Rumoukoro axis complained that it is always irritating along Rumoukoro road, saying that the officials usually evacuate it around 9AM or sometimes 10AM.
However, in some places like Choba, Elelenwo and Ada George roads, refuse were promptly evacuated before the dawn of the day.
The residents called on the government to bring back the beautiful greenery nature of the state which has earned the state’s capital the name ‘’Garden City’’.
In an interview with Rita Tariah, owner of a waste company in Port Harcourt, confirmed that most officials of RIWAMA on duty fail to promptly evacuate refuse from the road.
According to her, some private companies sometimes help to evacuate the refuse.
Speaking on why could possibly be the problem, Tariah stated that most workers might be suffering non-payment of salaries or can be underpaid.
Meanwhile, efforts to speak with RIWAMA administrator, Mr. Felix Obuah on the concerns raised, proved abortive.
