…Warns Firms On Environmental Laws

The Rivers State House of Assembly (RVHA) has warned companies operating in the state to comply strickly to environmental laws or face legal action by the State Government.
The Chairman of the Assembly Committee on Environment, Hon. Christian Ahiakwo gave the warning last Tuesday when the committee hosted the management of the Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) at the Assembly Complex in Port Harcourt.
Ahiakwo hinted that the Assembly has already commenced investigation into the operations of some companies, including the NBC, to ascertain the level of compliance to environmental laws and standards.
The lawmaker noted that the committee, in its recent oversight function to some companies in the state, requesting for all environmental documents  for thorough investigation into the activities of some companies to bring sanity in the state in the area of environment.
According to Committee Chairman, the Committee’s assignment on companies was to determine the competence of the company’s environmental consultant and to ascertain, if the company is accredited by the relevant Federal Government Agencies or Authorities.
He said, its meeting with the NBC was to look at the relevant documentations to verify all the necessary documents in compliance to the environmental laws of the state.
He added, the Assembly would liaise with the State Ministry of Environment to monitor the activities of companies to ensure they are in total compliance with the state environmental laws.
Ahiakwou said the Assembly would not hesitate to investigate all the companies operating in the State to reveal whether or not the operation of companies in the state have an adverse effect on the environment.
“We want to be sure that the operations of companies in the state do not in any way hamper the environment. We want to be sure that as the companies operate, they are not compromising environmental standards, so that at the end, we will give the companies score cards, and any company found wanting in these areas would be prosecuted accordingly,” Ahiakwo said.
Also speaking, the principal consultant to the NBC, Dr Celina Maduenezia Enville assured that the company would continue to collaborate with both Federal and State Governments on preservation of the environments particularly on the issue of green economy.
The company consultant said the company was committed on recovering and recycling of waste, especially at this time of environmental challenge in the state.
She commended the committee for doing the good job, saying that the NBC will continue to make effort to comply with the environmental laws and policies of governments.

Enoch Epelle