RIWAMA Sole Administrator, Bro. Obuah Frowns On Use Of Sanitation Exercise Hours For Street Trading, Footballing
The Sole Administrator of the Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA), Bro. Felix Obuah has frowned at those who convertthe monthly environmental sanitation exercise hours into street trading and footballing, warning them to desist from the act or face the wrath of the law.
Bro. Obuah, who gave the warning on Saturday, November 28, 2020 when he led a team of RIWAMA officials, security agencies, including officers of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), round some parts of Port Harcourt, the State capital, to monitor this month’s sanitation exercise, said the Agency had repeatedly warned against playing football and street trading during the monthly sanitation hours, but regretted that such warnings had fallen on deaf ears of some youths, stressing that the habit was counterproductive in the determination of the Agency to ensure a cleaner city.
He said observations revealed that street trading and footballing take place at areas of high commercial activities in Port Harcourt during sanitation hours and warned parents and guardians to call their children to order.
“This is not encouraging because in the process of playing football and trading on streets and roads during sanitation hours, such areas are littered with wastes”, Bro. Obuah declared while calling for a change of attitude, adding that two, three hours of sanitation exercise would bring a long term health benefit to residents.
“It is not the best time to play football or any other game for that matter or selling on the streets. If you want to play games or sell, don’t do it during the environmental sanitation hours” he advised.
Bro. Obuah warned that henceforth those found to be engaging in such acts would be arrested and charged before the Sanitation Court.
The Sole Administrator who later spoke to journalists on the evaluation of the sanitation exercise said in spite of the ugly habit of indulging in street trading and footballing by some youths and residents, the exercise was adjudged a success as many residents turned out in their numbers in different parts of the State to clean their environment and empty their gutters and other water channels.
“The overall compliance was good. We passed through Ikwerre Road, Ikokwu, Ojoto, Azikiwe, Emenike, Iloabuchi, D/Line, Rumuomasi, Aba Road and many other streets and roads in Port Harcourt, the State capital”, he said.
On the dumping of refuse on the median by residents, the Sole Administrator said the practice has reduced following the sensitization by the Agency and warned against dumping of refuse on the median.
He further appealed to residents to desist from dumping refuse in the gutters and other water channels as doing so may cause blockages which may aggravate flooding.
Bro. Obuah also called for a synergy between communities, people living and doing business in the State and RIWAMA for a cleaner and healthy Rivers State.
