Waste Management Bill Scales First Reading

An executive bill on Waste Management Agency which was earlier rejected by the Rivers State House of Assembly for containing harsh measures has been repackaged and re-introduced to the House.

Presenting the bill for first reading during last Wednesday’s plenary session, the Leader of government business in the Assembly, Hon. Chidi Lloyd, said the bill seeks to repeal the Rivers State Environmental Sanitation Authority (ESA) law.

Hon. Lloyd explained that the repackaged Waste Management Agency Bill contained 65 clauses, noting that efforts had been made to remove harsh and contentious issues found in the previous draft.

He remarked that clause four provided that the Ministry of Environment would supervise the agency, while the body would  make available to the House Committee on Environment quarterly report of its operations.

The House Leader said the bill had provision for a representative of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Rivers State, with other experts to sit on the board.

According to him, clause 43 (2) states that only authorised persons from the agency shall enter premises of private and corporate organisations to enforce sanitation law.

Hon Lloyd disclosed further that offences and penalties were made to have human face, adding that corporate entities would pay more than private individuals.

On defecating or urinating at unauthorised places, the offenders shall pay a fine of N10,000 or made to engage in community service for three days.

The bill was given official seal for first reading by the presiding Speaker, Hon Leyii Kwanee, who deferred debate on the proposed law to the next sitting date.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Speaker, Hon Leyii Kwanee, has paid a condolence visit to the family of the late first President of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP), Dr Garrick Leton over the demise of  late Mrs Ngozika Eunice Leton.

Hon. Kwanee said that death was for all mortals but expressed sadness that Mrs Leton passed on now that her motherly advice was needed most. He urged the family to take solace in the fact that she was a strong pillar to her late husband who did much for Rivers State and Nigeria.

Responding on behalf of the family, Dr Barinua Leton thanked the Deputy Speaker for identifying with the family in their moment of grief.