The Sole Administrator of Rivers State Environmental Sanitation Authority (RSESA), Mr Ade Adeogun has urged indigenes of the state to take advantage of the numerous business opportunities as the RSESA revolutionises sanitation and waste management operations in the state.
The Sole Administrator who disclosed this in a chat with newsmen in Port Harcourt, Tuesday, said the authority has been able to create a new image as a clean and organised corporate entity stating that it is in line with the new philosophy of the RSESA to do business in a more humane and responsible manner.
He said waste management is a growing industry that could create jobs and empower on lot of people noting that when given the right leverage, Rivers people can sincerely co-operate to achieve better results.”
Adeogun noted that several opportunities exist in the area of medical waste management, recycling and compositing of wastes as well as in leasing of equipment, and disclosed that the Authority was prepared to grant Franchise for people to deal in waste generation.
He also stated that while there is an increase in waste generation and management, and consequent increase in the number of compactors in the state, there is no standard mechanic workshop to handle servicing and repairs, adding that at the average cost of N20,000 to service a compactor, there is a N500m turnover business opportunity waiting to be harnessed.
The sole administrator said the authority is committed to add value to the lives of the citizens through a clean environment stating that they still face the challenge “of poor waste handling culture by Rivers residents who indulge in littering, indiscriminate dumping of waste and piping of sewage into drainage.”
He urged the people to join in the new mission of the authority to create a clean Rivers State by “properly bagging their wastes and dropping at approved receptacles only and also avoid dumping refuse into drains to avoid flooding that may claim lives and property.”
Adeogun emphasised that the job of keeping the environment clean was not for government alone, and sought “the co-operation of the press to enlighten the public on how to bag their wastes and segregate them for easy evacuation by refuse collectors to the dumpsites.