Felix Obuah, sole administration of Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA), has issued a 48 hours ultimatum to service providers to rid their operation areas of dirt’s.
Mr Obuah in a statement by his media aide ,Jerry Needam said upon the expiration of the ultimatum any service provider who fails to adhere to the directive will have his contract terminated.
The statement particularly warned service provider covering old Aba road, Rumumasi, Rumuola, Rumuokuta, East West road, Obirikwere Fly Over, Airport road, including others.
As you may know, Rivers State Governor Nyesome Wike has also given 7 day ultimatum to all sanitation service provider working under RIWAMA to clean up their areas of coverage or risk their contract being terminated.
Meanwhile, some refuse contractors under RIWAMA said the resurfacing of dump site on median and streets of Port Harcourt was due to the inability of residents to strictly adhere to the time given by RIWAMA to evacuate their waste.
Some of the refuse contractor told our reporter that residents dump waste before 6pm stipulated time for refuse disposal.
Another official seen evacuating waste at the Ikokwu axis of Port Harcourt decried the difficulty in carrying out their job due to the number of packed cars on the road. He also called for the government intervention.
Others said the salary is poor as they are paid N1000 daily.
” After we pack urthe dirt’s and go, before you know it, people will come and pour dirt’s there. That is why you see refuse on the
road. They gave them time to pour dirt’s 6pm to 12 midnight. But they don’t keep to it”
” our salary is very poor considering the nature of our job and economy. Government should look into the payment. They pay us N30,000 monthly, N1000 daily ”
Also,Chairman Nigeria Environmental Society in Rivers State Kingsley Nwogbidi has stressed the need for the inclusion of environmental expert in improving the sanitary condition of Rivers State.
” waste management is not just moving from one place to another. They should involve professionals, and professionals will give you a professional know how, a technical know how and how best to keep Port Harcourt clean ”
