Environment

Sanitation Authority To Partner Media On Tree Planting

Published

12 years ago

September 2, 2013

Rivers State Environmental Sanitation Authority (RSESA), has pledged its unalloyed commitment to partner with journalists in sanitising, maintaining and promoting tree planting in the State.

Sole Administrator of the organisation, Ade Adeogun made the position of the sanitation authority known while speaking during the flagging-off of the 2013 tree planting awareness campaign tagged “Sustainable Urban Development with a Clean Environment” organized by Journalists for Sustainable Development in Nigeria (JSDN) on Wednesday August 14, 2013 at the Rivers State School of Midwifery, D/line Port Harcourt.

Adeogun who was represented by the Director of Press to the Rivers State Sanitation Authority, Olalekan Ige commended the group for initiating the tree planting awareness campaign and noted that the State would benefit from their selfless strides years to come while pointing out that the trees when they grow, will do more good than harm to the environment and lives in the State.

Earlier, National Coordinator of Journalists for Sustainable, Development in Nigeria (JSDN) Pastor Parry Saroh Benson in his welcome address stated that the aim of the organization in carrying out tree planting campaign is to promote tree planting and good health of citizens of the state as well as projecting the clean and green project of the Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi led government.

Benson who is also the Publisher of The Port Harcourt Spectator newspaper disclosed that the 2013 flag-off of the tree planting awareness is the second edition of the campaign.

He pointed out that while human beings releases carbon dioxide, the trees around the environs releases oxygen. “if you go to our hospitals today you will understand that most patients are suffering from cardiovascular disease because of lack or shortage of oxygen attributable to depletion trees within our environment he added.

While calling on the state government to collaborate with JSDN in the campaign of beautifying the city, he urged the general public to join hands in the campaign by planting trees within their environs adding that the organization would not only make the event an annual one but would go as far as planting trees where necessary.

In their separate speeches, Mrs. Opuwari Faith and Mrs. Elizabeth Okwangu, Matron and representative of the principal, Rivers State School of Midwifery respectively lauded the leadership of Journalists for Sustainable Development in Nigeria for choosing the school for the flag-off of the 2013 tree planting awareness campaign.

They noted that the trees that were planted by JSDN today which many may see as a waste of time, would definitely serve as a landmark achievement for the younger generation.

They enjoined the group not to rest on their oars but to continue with their dream of restoring the lost glory of the state through the Tree Planting Campaign.

Environment

Lagos State Government Refuted Resumed Monthly Sanitation

Published

2 days ago

February 23, 2026

The Tide

The Lagos State Government on Saturday refuted an online media report claiming that the state had resumed the monthly environmental sanitation exercise.

The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, said no categorical statement had been made regarding the commencement date of the exercise.

Wahab explained that what he told newsmen after a project inspection tour last Sunday was that engagements with relevant stakeholders were still ongoing.

He said the state government had planned to begin with a sensitisation programme last week, but was constrained by logistics issues.

“The truth is, we were meant to start with a sensitisation programme last week, but we had a logistics issue. We need to find a day that is acceptable to all stakeholders,” he said.

He expressed optimism that the exercise might return very soon, adding that the official date would be communicated by the Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

The commissioner urged law-abiding residents to continue their lawful activities without hindrance, assuring them that adequate notice would be given before the exercise was reintroduced.

The monthly environmental sanitation, previously held on the last Saturday of every month between 7.00 a.m. and 10.00 a.m., was suspended in November 2016 following a legal pronouncement restricting movement during the exercise.

However, renewed waste management challenges, including clogged drainage channels and indiscriminate refuse disposal, have sparked calls from residents for its reinstatement.

Environment

RIWAMA In Collaboration With Obio Akpo And Port Harcourt LGA Ban Dumping Of Refuse On Road Side

Published

2 days ago

February 23, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA) in Collaboration with Obio Akpor Local Government Council and Port Harcourt City LGA had advised the public not to dump refuse on the road side.

In a statement signed by the Director of RIWAMA Dr Ibimina Wokoma, Mayor of Port Harcourt Sir Hon Allwell Ihunda and Obio Kpor local government Chairman Hon Dr, Gift Worlu made available to Tide news stated that dumping of refuse on road medians is banned in Obio Akpor LGA, Port Harcourt City LGA, and the entire metropolis.

The statement said all waste is to be properly bagged and taken to the nearest RIWAMA-approved receptacle only between the hours of 6pm and 10pm daily.

“The use of cart pushers for waste collection, evacuation, and disposal is highly prohibited across Obio Akpor LGA and Port Harcourt City Local Government. Corporate organizations are requested to engage only Private Service Providers licensed by RIWAMA, in line with extant laws.

“Scattering of refuse bags at the receptacles or roadside by scavengers, individuals, and organizations engaged in illegal sorting or segregation of waste or recycling business is hereby banned, except as authorized or licenced by RIWAMA at the final dumpsites.

“The Thursday sanitation exercise by shop owners will continue alongside business activities without closing or locking up shops.

The statement also said that , shop owners whose shop environment or surroundings are untidy will be arrested and prosecuted accordingly.

This notice applies to all residents, businesses, and organizations in Rivers State. Let’s work together to restore our “Garden City” status.

By: Kiadum Edookor

Environment

Ministry Of Environment To Validate A Landmark Policy To Advance Nigeria’s Economy

Published

2 days ago

February 23, 2026

The Tide

The Federal Ministry of Environment last Thursday convened key stakeholders in Abuja to validate a landmark policy brief aimed at tackling marine litter to advance Nigeria’s transition to a circular economy.

Mrs Falmata Bukar-Kolo, the Deputy Director, Solid Waste Management and Technology Division in the ministry, warned that plastic pollution poses serious risks to aquatic ecosystems and public health.

She stated that microplastics have already entered the food chain through fish consumption, while clogged waterways, soil contamination, and greenhouse gas emissions from burning plastics are worsening the environmental crisis.

Bukar-Kolo said that plastics, though widely used, are non-biodegradable and persist in the environment for years.

She called for improved waste management systems, stronger enforcement of environmental regulations, and behavioural change amongst citizens and businesses.

Mr Clem Ugorji, Regional Coordinator of PROTEGO, emphasised on the urgency of action, saying Nigeria’s marine litter crisis carries environmental, economic, and reputational costs.

He expressed optimism that the 2025 to 2040 roadmap endorsed at the workshop would shift the country from prolonged dialogue to concrete implementation.

The event was organised in collaboration with PROTEGO (Prevention of Marine Litter in the Gulf of Guinea).

Discussions centred on a draft policy input paper titled “Policies, Institutional Set-up and Financing of Marine Litter Prevention in Nigeria,”.

These seeks to present insightful analysis and a set of recommendations to address the structural and financing gaps that have long hindered effective waste management, particularly plastic leakage from inland communities and waterways into the Atlantic Ocean.

The PROTEGO initiative is supported by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection and led by adelphi, with implementation in Nigeria by WASTE Africa and the Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre (NCIC).

The policy brief is a key delivery for one of the programme’s four impact areas – building capacities of public stakeholders.