Following several calls from different quarters within and outside Port Harcourt, the State Capital to draw the attention of the Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA) to some heaps of wastes in parts of the State outside the two local government areas of Port Harcourt City and Obio/Akpor, Sole Administrator, Bro Felix Obuah said it has become necessary to make these clarifications.
Though as the State Waste Management Agency, the evacuation of wastes by the Agency is limited to only Port Harcourt City and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas, he added.
“The Agency has provided receptacles at designated points across the adjourning local government areas but is not responsible for the evacuation of wastes in such areas including Ikwerre, Eleme, Etche, Oyigbo and other Local Government Areas, outside Port Harcourt City and Obio/Akpor LGAs, in Rivers State.
“It should also be noted that on Port Harcourt/Aba Expressway, RIWAMA is only responsible for evacuation of wastes up to lNTELS and Iriebe, from that point covering the entire Oyigbo is under the purview of Oyigbo Local Government. The same applies to Etche Local Government Area.
“Also, the RIWAMA operation does not cover from Akpajo to Trailer Park and other areas in Eleme Local Government Area. It is under the purview of Eleme Local Government Council.
“Equally, Aluu is under Ikwerre Local Government Area and RIWAMA does not evacuate wastes in Aluu and other areas in Ikwerre Local Government Area.
“It is the responsibility of the council chairmen to evacuate wastes in their local government areas, apart from Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas to which the operation of RIWAMA is confined.
“Recently, the Agency has been inundated with repeated and distress calls from concerned citizens, some, disparaging and heaping blames on the Agency for turning blind eyes to such heaps of wastes.
“In as much as we are not trying to shy away from our responsibility and oversight functions, it is only wise to clear the air on the issue as it is more profitable to sensitize the relevant councils and departments to such emergencies and health risks.
“We have also noted with dismay that these concerned councils and departments seem to be enjoying the buck-passing rather than do the needful by clearing these wastes having been so reminded.
“This is therefore an eye-opener, besides a directive to those so concerned and those who appear to have made it a habit to blame RIWAMA for every imaginable and unimaginable dereliction of duties not minding who is responsible.
“May we also thank those of you who genuinely show concern and call our attention for information and inquiries.
“RIWAMA, will continue to deliver on the mandate for which it was created and which has been pursued with every sense of responsibility, leveraging the unequalled support from our environment friendly Governor, Chief Bar. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike.
“While we urge all the relevant departments, councils and stakeholders to have all hands on deck in giving priority attention to the health of all residents in our State by doing their beats as well as ensuring that everybody living and doing business in the State keeps their homes, offices, markets, etc clean and healthy for all, we promise we’ll not renege on our part to do that for which we were created and readily funded.
