‘Njemanje Refuse Dump, No Longer A Threat’

A member of the Port Harcourt City Environmental Sanitation Committee, Mr. Blessing Dickson Tiko, says the Njemanje refuse dump site is no longer a threat to residents of Diobu and its environs.
Tiko said this in an exclusive interview with The Tide in port Harcourt.
He also said the dump site was borne out of the need to have an alternative place for the dumping of refuse following the shutting down of refuse dumps by the Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RiWAMA) few months ago.
According to him,”you will agree with me that Port Harcourt has been clean except that few months ago, we had problem with RIWAMA and by God’s grace today Port Harcourt is clean”
Tiko said the problem was not peculiar to Port Harcourt City alone as even sister Local Government of Obio/Akpor suffered similar fate.
“It is not only Port Harcourt City per see at that time, many dumps were shut and Njemanje was the only dump existing and it helps in no small measures in terms of refuse disposal.
He said the dumpsite had been shut down following complaints from various quarters.
“However we know the community complained. The Nation newspaper complained. The Tide Newspaper complained, the Mayor we have is a listening Mayor, so, when he heard the complaints, there was noting to do than to shut down the place, ”he said.
Tiko said the council has acquired a new dump site at Igwuruta.
He commended the Mayor of the Port Harcourt City Local Government Council, Sir Alwell Ihunda for his commitment towards keeping Port Harcourt City clean.
Tiko said the council was also leaving no stone unturned to ensure that markets through out the city were kept clean always.
“I think the Thursday sanitation exercise comprises the markets, shops and motor parks ,but they are not following it up, it is an enforcement issue.
“People need to take it seriously but there is no seriousness in it and the government had to do something about it because it is the only time we see people bring out dirt especially in Diobu axis”.
He said also said DIOBU axis of the city generates more refuse than other parts because it population density
Tiki also advised that the monthly enviromental sanitation exercise be revive ,while dumping of refuse on road median be discouraged.

By: John Bibor