Agency warns Rivers residents against dumping refuse in drains

THE Sole Administrator, Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA), Mr Felix Obuah, has warned people of the state against dumping refuse in drainage channels and waterways.

Obuah made the call in Port Harcourt while commenting on the recurrent flooding in some parts of the state, particularly after downpour.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that some portions of the Port Harcourt/Aba highway and the Ikwerre Road in Port Harcourt recently became flooded after a downpour.

NAN also reported that Nkpogu junction on Aba road and the Mile-One market area of Ikwerre road got flooded after an early morning rain last Thursday.

Obuah said that the state waste management agency had identified unhealthy refuse disposal habits of some residents as the major cause of flooding in urban centres.

He said that the state government had taken steps to address the menace of flooding in the state.

“We are just not comfortable with the unfriendly environmental attitudes of some residents of the state.

“How can people take delight in dumping garbage in drains and major waterways? How do we expect rainwater to find its way into the creeks?’’ he asked.

Obuah said that RIWAMA would continue to hold public awareness campaigns to sensitise people to the need to embrace proper waste disposal habits.

“Making the environment healthy is our collective duty; we must stop dumping waste in waterways so as to avert blockage of drains and flooding,’’ he said.