Environmental Pollution; RSG To Set Up Surveillance Committees

Director General, Rivers State Tourism Development Agency, Mr. Sam Dede (right), with Security Consultant to the agency, Mr. Austine Gbaraba (left), during the route appraisal for 2013 CARNIRIV in Port Harcourt, recently. With them is Assistant Sector Comander, FRSC, Port Harcourt, Mr. Frank Okweze. Photo: Nwiueh Donatus Ken

Worried by the spate of environmental pollution in parts of the state and in Ogoniland in particular, the Rivers State Government says it will set up surveillance committees as part of efforts to check the trend.

Government has also challenged Chairman of four Ogoni local government areas in the state to immediately initiate modalities to check illegal oil bunkering which it noted, was a major cause of environmental pollution in parts of the state.

The State Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Nyema Weli stated this at a meeting with Chairmen of the four Ogoni Local Government Areas of Khana, Gokana, Tai and Eleme to check the trend.

Stating that the state government was passionate about reducing environmental pollution in the state and in Ogoniland in particular, the Commissioner charged the local government chairmen to step up the sensitisation of youths of their areas with a view to fighting illegal oil bunkering and environmental pollution.

In his speech, Chairman of Khana Local Council, Hon. Gregory Nwidam commended the state government for the proposed surveillance committees and urged youths, chiefs and Community Development Committees (CDCs) in the state to synergise efforts to stop the ugly trend.

The Vice Chairman of Eleme Local Government, Mr. Gad Lewa Meme said his council was in support of all efforts geared towards eradicating illegal bunkering and environmental pollution in the state.

In another development, the Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Nyema Weli has procured over 130 JAMB forms for secondary school students of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.

Speaking during a courtesy call on him by the National Union of Obio/Akpor Students and its Eliozu counterpart, the Commissioner said that education was the greatest asset any man could aspire to acquire.

He charged the students not to compromise their educational opportunities, reminding them that they were the privileged class who have to prepare themselves for the future, stressing that the JAMB forms were part of his contributions towards the educational development of Obio/Akpor.

The students in their various speeches thanked the commissioner for the gesture.