RIWAMA Boss Seeks Synergy With Stakeholders

The Special Adviser to the Rivers State Governor on Environmental Sanitation, Prince Obi Ohia, who is also the Head of Rivers Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA), has appealed to stakeholders in the state to work hand-in-hand with the management of the agency.
Prince Obi Ohia made this appeal last Wednesday during a one-day interactive session with Community Development, CDC, Chairmen and youth presidents of the various communities across the state.
According to him, the management of RIWAMA invited the CDC Chairmen and youth presidents as well as relevant stakeholders to see how they can collaborate to keep the state clean.
“Besides, we want to inform you that we are partnering with foreign agencies. So, those who have not been partnering with RIWAMA or state government should do so,” Ohia told the stakeholders.
He frowned on the attitude of residents of the state who dump refuse in the middle of the road. “We want to warn residents of the state against dumping of refuse along the road or in the middle of the road. In fact, indiscriminate dumping of refuse is prohibited. I want to remind the residents of the state that the appropriate time for refuse disposal remains between 6.00pm – 10.00 pm and any person who goes contrary to this is sabotaging the effort of the state government,” Ohia warned.
He stated that ahead of flooding during the raining season the state government has commenced the drainage of major creeks and canals in the state, adding that the ministry of special duties and environment are doing a thorough job.
He expressed optimism that the state government would get it right before the 2024 flooding across the country, adding that Governor Fubara was committed to mitigating the menace of flooding.
The Special Adviser appealed to the press of the Realm to contribute their own quota towards raising awareness about sanitation.
“We have engaged the media enough and the essence is to ensure that whatever we are doing get to the grassroots. Therefore the media should see the raising of awareness about sanitation as their own contributions,” he said.
He assured that before the end of next month some reforms would be carried out in RIWAMA Task Force.
“We had agreed that while the RIWAMA Task Force continues to discharge their duty, their function must be in tandem with the law of the state. We are also going to ask the Directorate of public Health to begin enlightenment campaign on how to conscientize the citizenry so as to keep the state clean but before that we will also educate the RIWAMA Task Force Officer. In fact, before the end of May this month, we will reform the RIWAMA Task Force,” Obi Ohia assured.