The Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA), has commenced an enlightenment programme to educate members of the public on waste management methods and the hazards associated with dumping of wastes at unauthorized places and outside government approved hours of 6pm to 12 midnight.
The Sole Administrator of the agency, Bro. Felix Obuah who flagged off the exercise in Port Harcourt said the public enlightenment programme was necessitated by what he described as the untoward attitude of some residents and those doing business in Port Harcourt, the state capital and its environs, who still engage in indiscriminate dumping of wastes, and outside government approved hours of 6 pm to 12 midnight.
Obuah regretted that the Agency had consistently, on many occasions and at different fora, warned residents against the indiscriminate dumping of wastes, assuring that RIWAMA would not relent in the vigorous enlightenment to ensure residents imbibe the habit of hygiene and environmental cleanliness.
The public enlightenment campaign which has kicked off saw the Enlightenment Team led by Environmental Sanitation Officers visit Miles 1, 2 and 3 Diobu in Port Harcourt.
The Enlightenment Team will on daily basis visit other areas in Port Harcourt, the state capital and its environs.
While also reminding residents and those doing business in Port Harcourt, the state capital and its environs that the ban on indiscriminate dumping of wastes on Market Sanitation Days and the dumping of wastes outside the dumping hours of 6pm-12 midnight remains in force, the RIWAMA Sole Administrator appealed to them to comply with the ban as the Agency would arrest and prosecute offenders.