RSG Blames Filthy Environment For Lassa Fever

The Rivers State Government has blamed the recent   outbreak of Lassa Fever in the state on filty environment.

The Commissioner for Environment,  Dr Nyema Weli who said this in an interview with newsmen shortly after observing this months environmental sanitation exercise in parts of Port Harcourt said it was against  this background that government is insisting on clean environment.

Dr Weli also warned that the first Saturday of every month is officially sanitation day in the state, stressing that it is the responsibility of every resident of the state,  indigenes and non indigenes to keep their surroundings clean.

The commissioner who was represented by the permanent secretary in the ministry, Dr George Nweke however regretted the poor attitude of the people on issues of sanitation, stressing that the situation is hampering the efforts of the state government in keeping the state clean.

He  warned that the state government would not hesitate to invoke the relevant laws against persons who flout the  sanitation exercise, especially those who loiter about  during sanitation hours.

In another development, the commissioner for Environment, Dr Nyema Weli has urged the people of Egita in Ogba Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area against instigating violence over the recent gas blow out in the area.

Dr Weli who said this during a courtesy by delegation of the community in his office said that the government was working out modalities towards bringing the people and the company to amicably resolve the issue.