Environment
Community Alerts RSG Over Dredging …As Group Flays Activity In Otamiri River
Rivers State Government has been told to check the activities of Reef Courts Company over its disturbing dredging works.
The people of Okujagu Ama in Port Harcourt Local Government Area, made the call when they paid a courtesy call on the Special Adviser to the Governor on Pollution Control, Sir Nwuke Anucha, recently in his office.
The group which was led by Evans Okujagu, pointed out that the community was now faced with danger as a result of the company’s dredging business.
They noted that the activity had so far, removed the top soil, thereby, exposing them to natural disaster.
The community reasoned that if the state government and other relevant bodies did not take urgent steps, that sooner than later, the whole area would be wiped out.
According to them, fishing which is one of the major occupation is now under great threat due to the actions of the company.
They explained that the company’s business had increased the depth of their rivers, which was not friendly to fishermen.
They recalled that the activity had been on since 2008, saying that farmers are also suffering the same fate.
Also speaking, another community leader, Engr. Deinma Okujagu, blamed the company over what he described as poor relationship with the community.
It was also learnt that the company and the state government had earlier planned to do shore protection before development would be done in the area.
However, the Governor’s Special Adviser on Pollution, Nwuke Anucha, had promised to take their matter to the appropriate quarter for immediate response.
Meanwhile, a community based pressure group in Rivers State, Etche Peoples Liberation Congress (EPLC) has said that the continuous dredging of sand at the Otamiri River in Etche Local Government Area might lead to the sinking of four communities in the area.
The group which said this in a briefing in Port Harcourt mentioned the Four affected communities as Chokocho, Egwi Umuanyanagu and Okomoko.
National President of the group, Comrade Japhet Ogbueri told newsmen that, unless urgent steps were taken, the communities might soon begin to feel the impacts of the dredging activities.
Comrade Ogbueri said that apart from the communities, the Otamiri River is now being polluted.
“We are here to tell the world that four communities in Etche may sink any moment from now and Etche only traditional River, Otamiri is completely devastated by dredging activities.
He alleged that most of those involved in the dredging activities in the area, were doing it without regard to the environment, stressing that no dredging companies in the area could boast of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report.
Comrade Ogbueri further alleged that, efforts made so far to ensure that companies operating in the area complied with relevant environmental rules and regulations had not yielded any result.
He however, warned the companies not to wait for the youths to take to the streets before they remedy the situation.
According to him, youths of Etche ethnic nationality will no longer fold their hands and watch their environment being destroyed by dredging companies.
Comrade, Ogbueri also appealed to the Rivers State Government to intervene in the matter by calling on the companies to do the right thing in the overall interest of the people and the State.
The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has issued a seven-day flood advisory, warning of a medium flood risk in 17 states between July 21 and July 27.
The agency said the alert followed rising water levels at key river monitoring stations, increasing the likelihood of localised flooding along river channels and floodplains.
NIHSA Director-General, Umar Mohammed, disclosed this in National Flood Advisory (Alert No. NFA-2026-200) issued on Tuesday.
He said the affected states are Adamawa, Bauchi, Benue, Borno, Edo, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau, Taraba, Yobe and Zamfara.
According to Mohammed, river levels at Saminara on the Karam River, Waya Dam Site on the Waya River and Amber on the Amber River had exceeded watch and warning thresholds.
He said 16 gauging stations nationwide were recording elevated river stages, placing nearby communities at risk of localised flooding.
Mohammed urged state governments, local authorities and residents of flood-prone communities to take precautionary measures immediately.
NIHSA said Bauchi had the highest exposure, with 1,841 communities, 145 schools, 101 health facilities and eight markets identified as vulnerable.
The agency also identified vulnerable communities and public facilities in Edo, Imo, Kaduna, Plateau and Benue states.
Mohammed urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs), local governments and community leaders to activate emergency response plans.
He recommended relocating residents, livestock and valuables from floodplains to safer locations
He also advised emergency agencies to pre-position food, medical supplies and water treatment materials in areas likely to be affected.
“The NIHSA boss called for community mobilisation through early warning volunteers and local communication channels to ensure timely dissemination of flood alerts.
He cautioned residents against walking, driving or riding through flooded roads, bridges and fast-flowing waterway.
A cleaner environment begins with collective responsibility. That commitment was evident across Umuahia on Saturday as thousands of residents turned out to participate in the July monthly environmental sanitation exercise, with officials describing the compliance level as one of the most encouraging in recent months.
The impressive turnout has renewed hope that Abia’s campaign for a cleaner and healthier environment is steadily becoming a culture rather than a routine exercise.
The July monthly environmental sanitation exercise in Umuahia recorded about 80% compliance.
The Abia State Ministry of Environment described the turnout as a strong indication that residents are embracing Governor Alex Otti’s vision for a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable environment, while calling for the establishment of Neighbourhood Environmental Watch groups to sustain the momentum.
The Abia State Government has commended residents of Umuahia for their impressive participation in the July monthly environmental sanitation exercise, describing the turnout as a strong indication that citizens are embracing the state’s campaign for a cleaner and healthier environment.
Speaking after monitoring the exercise across major parts of the Umuahia metropolis, the Permanent Secretary, Abia State Ministry of Environment, Mr. Ikechukwu Oriuwa, expressed satisfaction with the level of compliance and urged residents to sustain the momentum.
According to him, the success recorded during the exercise reflects growing public support for the environmental agenda of the Labour Party-led administration.
“I think, so far, so good. At this point, what we need to do is sustain the momentum. We should move forward with establishing a Neighbourhood Environmental Watch so that residents can monitor compliance and ensure the initiative is sustained,” he said.
Mr. Oriuwa further applauded both residents and the organisers for the success of the exercise.
“Well, I must say I am very impressed. I appreciate the organisers for putting this programme together. It has been highly impressive, and I believe participants have learnt a great deal. From what I have observed so far, everything has been well organised, and I think they are doing an excellent job. I encourage them to keep up the good work because programmes like this are beneficial to everyone,” he added.
The Permanent Secretary stressed that environmental sanitation should become a daily culture rather than an activity observed only on designated sanitation days.
Drawing from an Igbo proverb, he explained why communities must collectively protect their environment.
“An Igbo proverb says that a goat owned by the public often goes hungry. That is why establishing a Neighbourhood Environmental Watch is important. It will encourage residents to take collective responsibility for keeping their surroundings clean and ensuring that sanitation efforts are sustained.”
He also urged government agencies to strengthen enforcement by deploying environmental health officers to carry out routine inspections and ensure compliance with sanitation laws.
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