How Waste Management Bill Suffered Setback In Rivers

A bill seeking to revolutionalise the operations of Waste Management System in Rivers State, has suffered a major set-back as the state Assembly rejected the report of its House Committee on Environment on the proposed law.

Taking a cue from the submission of the lawmakers, Speaker, Rt. Hon. Otelemaba Amachree, last Monday, ruled that the bill was returned to the sponsors for repackaging.

Hon. Amachree, however commended the House Committee on Environment for doing a good job, noting that the House needed to take a deep breath on the Waste Management Authority Bill to address most of the concerns raised by the lawmakers.

Laying the foundation for the rejection of the proposed law, the member representing Obio/Akpor Constituency I, Hon. Martin Amaewhule, said the bill, if passed in its present form, would give the authority too much powers.

Hon. Amaewhule argued that some of the provisions of the bill were draconian in nature and should be expunged from the document, and suggested that the issues be harmonised to ensure that the Assembly makes law that would stand the test of time.

He condemned the clause that requires residents of the state to seek permission of the chairman of the authority before organizing any public event as the bill provides that event organisers show evidence of strategic waste management plan.

The Leader of the House, Hon. Chidi Lloyd, opined that since new issues had been thrown up following the presentation of the report, the House needed to take a deep breath, adding that the committee had tried its best under the circumstance.

Hon. Augustine Ngo, representing Abua/Odual, said the bill should be re-considered because some provisions were defective, and if passed, would lead to hitches in implementation while Hon. Golden Chioma said, “the bill has failed and should be returned to undergo surgical operation.”