Stakeholders Want Ministry’s Presence At PH Waterfronts

The Rivers State Min
istry of Environment has been urged to extend its activities to some waterfronts in Port Harcourt.
Across section of stakeholders who said this in an interview with The Tide in Port Harcourt said that waterfronts need the attention  of the ministry of environment to ensure their sanitisation from unfriendly environmental practices by residents.
According to them most waterfronts in the city have become a haven for illegal bunkering activities, a situation that has become a threat to the peace and stability  of the entire city.
Speaking in an interview with The Tide Mr. Joseph Kpug, a resident of Elechi Beach said that apart from the criminal element which had become the lot of waterfronts, the place was an eyesore.
Mr. Kpagi said that most residents of the waterfronts did not observe sanitation rules and regulations, stressing that faeces are dumped indiscriminately while Indian hemp smokers have free rein in the area.
According to him, this situation is badly affecting the health of the people, a situation that requires urgent attention from the authority.
Also speaking, Mr. Wahua Nhebeka described most of the waterfronts  as very harmful for human habitation stressing that something needs to be done to address the situation.
According to him, officials from the Ministry of Environment need to visit the waterfronts regularly to ensure the cleanliness of the area as diseases could be transmitted to the upland.
Also speaking, Mr Osaro Michael of Grand Visionary Youth Empowerment Initiative of Nigeria, said that measures must be taken to create a conducive environment for waterfront dwellers.
According to him, the large population of people living at the waterfronts must be assisted to overcome the challenges of environmental pollution.

Rivers State Environmental Sanitation Authority dumpsite at Rumuolumeni in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area. Photo: Chris Monyanaga