Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA) has berated some local government chairmen in the State for their failure in participating in the last state wide sanitation exercise.
Sole Administrator of RIWAMA, Bro. Felix Obuah stated this in a statement signed by his media aide, Jerry Needam and made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital.
Obuah said such action by the council chairmen is unpatriotic and a strain in the effort of the Rivers State Government to keep Port Harcourt and its environs clean.
He however commended residents and those doing business in the State over what he described as impressive turnout and participation in the clean-up.
The statement reads, “The overall participation of the people in all the areas monitored during the exercise showed commendable improvement. This may not be unconnected with the massive sensitization and publicity by the Agency.
“The Sole Administrator’s monitoring team visited Mile 3 Motor Park, Timber Market, Mile 1 Market, Fruit Garden, Creek Road Market, Slaughter Market, Oil Mill Market, Rumuomasi Market and Abali Motor Park amongst others.
“At Mile 3 Motor Park, Abali Motor Park and Timber Market in Port Harcourt, the Sole Administrator’s monitoring team however expressed disappointment with residents who used the period of the exercise to engage in trading and street footballing along streets in Diobu, Port Harcourt
“We once again warn them to retrace their steps as the Agency would not hesitate to arrest and prosecute those who engage in such act in the future.”
The RIWAMA boss also commended traditional rulers, youth bodies, churches and other organizations who volunteered to make the exercise a success, urging them to continue in such habit during future sanitation exercises.