Rivers State Waste Management Agency

Press Statement

Obuah Warns Against Street Footballing, Trading, During Tomorrow’s Sanitation Hours

As the people of the State gear up for this month’s state-wide sanitation exercise scheduled for tomorrow, Saturday, October 30, 2020, the Sole Administrator of the Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA), Bro. Felix Obuah has warned against converting the sanitation hours of 7am to 10am into street trading, footballing and other social activities.

Bro. Obuah in a statement said such behavior is not only condemnable but grossly unpatriotic, urging those who engage in the act to desist henceforth as defaulters will be arrested and prosecuted.

He noted that the statewide sanitation exercise is a civic duty which entails the participation of all well-meaning people of the State for the overall health and cleanliness of the environment.

The Sole Administrator warned that Sanitation Marshalls in conjunction with law enforcement agencies have been directed to monitor the roads and streets with a view to arresting and prosecuting those who engage in this unwholesome act, adding that to be forewarned is to be forearmed.

He therefore charged parents and guardians to call their children to order as those who flout the sanitation rules would be arrested and brought before the Sanitation Court for immediate prosecution.

The RIWAMA Sole Administrator stated that the full participation of all residents including youths in the State is solicited so as to engender a clean and healthy environment, stressing that using sanitation hours for street trading and footballing is tantamount to sabotaging the efforts of the Rivers State government.

Jerry Needam

Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Bro. Felix Obuah, Sole Administrator,
Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA).

Friday, October 30, 2020.

Press statement

RIWAMA Sole Administrator, Bro Felix Obuah condemns unwarranted arrest, detention, attacks on Service Providers

The attention of the Sole Administrator, Rivers State Waste Management Agency, RIWAMA, Bro Felix Obuah has been drawn to unwarranted arrest, detention and attacks on Service Providers, working with the Agency.

It will be recalled that the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike during a live radio programme in Port Harcourt on Monday last week, two days before the commencement of the total lockdown in Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas, unambiguously stated that Service Providers working with the Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA), are on ESSENTIAL SERVICE of keeping the State clean, and should therefore be accorded unhindered access to all roads and streets in the State to evacuate wastes and continue to keep Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, and its environs clean.

The Sole Administrator, RIWAMA, Bro Obuah notes with sadness that in spite of the Governor's clear directive, Service Providers working with the Rivers State Waste Management Agency, RIWAMA, carrying out daily evacuation of wastes from the streets and roads of Port Harcourt, the Rivers State Capital and its environs have been on many occasions attacked, subjected to severe beaten, wounded by some locals and, in some cases arrested, detained and their operational vehicles impounded by security agencies.

Amongst many cases, some locals yesterday, Sunday May 10, 2020 along Eliozu Road, before Depper Life Bible Church, close to Adamack Company, in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, under the guise of Community COVID-19 Enforcement Team attacked one of our Service Providers and his staff, beat them to stupor and inflicted deep cuts on their heads and bodies, with machetes.

Those wounded are all critically lying in the hospital.

In view of the foregoing therefore, the Sole Administrator, Rivers State Waste Management Agency, RIWAMA wishes to inform the general public, particularly the law enforcement agencies, and the community boys who are masquerading are COVID-19 Enforcement Teams, that Service Providers working with RIWAMA are under those on essential services and are covered by the pronouncement of the Governor that they are authorized to do their work without any obstruction.

Services Providers working with the Rivers State Waste Management Agency, RIWAMA which are authorized to do their daily work of evacuating refuse in the State should be allowed to do their work without any arrest, attack, molestation and or restrictions.

Wastes evacuation at this time of COVID-19 pandemic is key for the overall health condition of all those living and doing business in the State, therefore they should be encouraged to do their work, and not to attack, arrest and wound them, as we have witnessed in the past 6 days.

The Agency has accordingly reported those arrest and attacks on its Service Providers to the Governor of Rivers State, law enforcement agencies, the Chairmen of Obio/Akpor and Port Harcourt Local Government Areas.

Bro. Obuah in very strong term condemned the spate of attacks, arrest, detention and impoundment of operational vehicles of Service Providers, and call for an end forthwith.

Signed:

Jerry Needam
Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Bro Felix Obuah, Sole Administrator, Rivers State Waste Management Agency, RIWAMA.

Monday, May 11, 2020

Press Statement

RIWAMA Not Recruiting Sanitation Marshalls – Obuah

…Says Fake Membership Form In Circulation Did Not Emanate From Agency

The attention of the Sole Administrator, Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA), Bro. Felix Obuah has been drawn to SANITATION MARSHALL FORMS bearing the logo of RIWAMA currently in circulation in the State.

Information reaching the Sole Administrator, RIWAMA also indicates that the forms are being issued to unsuspecting members of the public for amount ranging from N10,000, N20,000 and N30,000 under the guise that those who paid and collect the forms will be employed by the Governor of Rivers State, in the proposed State Government plan to employ Sanitation Marshalls.

The Sole Administrator of RIWAMA, Bro. Felix Obuah in a statement said the Agency has not authorized any person or group of persons to print and sell any Membership Form for Sanitation Marshall bearing the logo of RIWAMA, warning the general public to be wary of fraudsters and mischief makers.

The fake Sanitation Marshall Membership Form which amongst others requested the purchaser to affix a passport photograph, has the logo of RIWAMA and Rivers State Government with the claim that it is being powered by the Ministry of Environment, RIWAMA and Local Government.

While distancing himself and RIWAMA from the dubious recruitment exercise, Bro. Obuah warned that those collecting or purchasing or paying money for the fake Membership Form under the guise of being engaged by the Rivers State Governor as Sanitation Marshalls are doing so at their own risk.

The RIWAMA Sole Administrator also warned that anyone caught selling or issuing this form in RIWAMA will be arrested and prosecuted.

Signed:

Jerry Needam

Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Bro. Felix Obuah, Sole Administrator,
Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA).

Wednesday, May 06, 2020.

Press Statement

Steer Clear Of Streets, RIWAMA Sole Administrator, Bro. Felix Obuah Warns Cart Pushers

…Visits Ada George, Elioparanwo, NTA, East West Roads, Amongst Others

With the expiration of the Monday, February 17, 2020 deadline given by the Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA) for Cart Pushers to leave the streets and roads of Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital and its environs, the Sole Administrator of the Agency, Bro. Felix Obuah has reiterated his earlier warning to Cart Pushers to comply with the directive or risk the impoundment and destruction of their carts.

Bro. Obuah who renewed the warning while addressing Cart Pushers along Ada George, Elioparanwo, NTA, East West Roads in Obio Akpor Local Government Area during his routine morning monitoring exercise of major streets and roads in Port Harcourt, on Tuesday, said the ban on Cart Pushers remains in force, insisting it would be in their best interest if they heed the warning.

The Sole Administrator explained that the ban became necessary as their activities have become a nuisance and turning some areas to an eyesore with indiscriminate dumping of refuse on the streets and roads.

Bro. Obuah regretted that the activities of the Cart Pushers are not only condemnable but also amounts to a deliberate attempt at sabotaging the efforts of the Agency to restore the Garden City status of Port Harcourt.

He pointed out that a lot of resources were being committed by the environmentally-friendly Governor of the State, Nyesom Wike, to ensure a clean and healthy state, adding that RIWAMA would not fold its hands and allow individuals or groups to sabotage his efforts.

Bro. Obuah called on residents and those doing business in the State to reciprocate the Governor’s kind gesture by keeping their homes and surroundings clean at all times, noting that cleanliness is next to Godliness.

Signed:

Jerry Needam

Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Bro. Felix Obuah, Sole Administrator,
Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA).

Tuesday, February 18, 2020

Press Statement

RIWAMA Inaugurates 25 Member Task Force To Arrest Cart Pushers In Rivers Over Violation Of Sanitation Laws

The Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA) will no longer condone the activities of Cart pushers in the State which constitute a nuisance and run counter to the efforts of the Agency to keep the state clean and healthy for residents.

Consequently, the Sole Administrator, Bro Felix Obuah on Wednesday, February 12, 2020, inaugurated a 25 member Task Force to ensure that the State capital, Port Harcourt, and its environs do not continue to be messed up by cart pushers in whatever disguise.

The Task Force to be known as OPERATION ARREST CART PUSHERS AND DESTROY CARTS, OACPDC among others is authorized to arrest such cart pushers anywhere sighted across the State, confiscate their carts and prosecute the offenders under the extant sanitation laws of the state.

The 25 member Task Force known as Operation Arrest Cart Pushers and Destroy Carts, OACPDC will have Aguma Ikechi as chairman, while the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, Sanitation Police post will coordinate security officers to be attached to the Task Force.

While inaugurating the Task Force, the Sole Administrator, Bro Felix Obuah decried the way and manner these cart pushers indiscriminately dump wastes at unauthorized receptacles and outside government approved dumping hours and also scatter wastes at designated receptacles and dumpsites in search of scraps and discarded materials for sale which impinge on the right of residents to enjoy the pleasure of healthy breathing all over including residential areas.

The Sole Administrator said the Agency and by extension, the State government has endured the menace for too long and will no longer remain silent over the issue which has become more compelling to address once and for all in the light of incessant outbreak of killer diseases around the globe.

“Rivers State has to take proactive measures against the possible health hazards that are likely to arise from the activities of these cart pushers”, Bro Obuah remarked.

The Task Force which will mount a 24 hour surveillance of all the streets and roads in Port Harcourt and its environs will commence operations on Monday, February 17, 2020.

All cart pushers and any other person(s) involved in this illegal and wanton act are warned to henceforth, refrain or face the full wrath of the Task Force, RIWAMA Sole Administrator appealed.

Signed:

Jerry Needam

Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Bro. Felix Obuah, Sole Administrator,
Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA).
Thursday, February 13, 2020.

Press Statement

Rivers State Monthly Sanitation Exercise Holds Saturday, January 25, 2020

…As RIWAMA Announces Strict Restriction of Movement During The Period

…Urges Full Participation By All Local Government Council Chairmen

The Sole Administrator, Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA), Bro. Felix Obuah, has announced that this month’s State-wide Sanitation exercise, the very first for the year 2020, will hold on Saturday, January 25, 2020, across the 23 Local Government Areas of the State from 7am – 10am.

Bro. Obuah in a statement said there will be strict restriction of human and vehicular movements during the period of the exercise from 7am – 10am.

The RIWAMA Sole Administrator enjoined all the Council Chairmen in the 23 Local Government Councils of the State and Councilors to mobilize their people and ensure they clean their surroundings while also ensuring that gutters and other water channels are cleared of debris to allow for free flow of water.

He also appealed to security agencies, particularly all Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) and Area Commanders, to strictly enforce the restriction of human and vehicular movement order during the period of the exercise across the State.

The Sole Administrator also enjoined all Rivers people and those living and doing business in the State to comply accordingly by using the period to clean their environment and surroundings as defaulters will be arrested and prosecuted.

He urged owners of trucks (individuals and corporate organizations) to make available their trucks for evacuation of wastes that would be generated during the period of the sanitation exercise.

The RIWAMA boss also called on traditional rulers, church leaders, Community Development Committees (CDCs) and youth groups to mobilize their people to clean their surroundings.

While urging the people of the State to support Governor Nyesom Wike’s vision of a clean and safe environment, Bro. Obuah reiterated the uncompromising commitment of the Agency in ensuring that Port Harcourt regains its Garden City status as well as having a healthy and clean State for the citizenry.

Signed:

Jerry Needam

Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Bro. Felix Obuah, Sole Administrator,
Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA),

Thursday, January 23, 2020.

Press Statement

New Year: RIWAMA Sole Administrator, Bro. Felix Obuah Urges More Commitment From Service Providers

As the year 2020 commences and those living and doing business in Rivers State return back to Port Harcourt, the State capital after the festive period, the Sole Administrator, Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA), Bro. Felix Obuah has called for renewed commitment and dedication from Service Providers working with the Agency.

Bro. Obuah in a special message to all Service Providers, urged them to leverage on the commendable performance put in last year to do more and help the Agency to achieve its set objective of keeping the State clean and healthy at all times.

The RIWAMA Sole Administrator warned that no excuse will be entertained from any Service Provider for any refuse found anywhere in Port Harcourt, the State capital and its environs.

He further reminded the Service Providers that the job of keeping Port Harcourt, the State capital and its environs clean efficiently and timeously are of paramount importance, as according to him, the entire city would be in chaos if they default in carrying out their job.

Bro. Obuah acknowledged that Port Harcourt, the State capital and its environs now wear a better look noting that this became possible because Service Providers were working in tandem with set objectives of the Agency throughout the festive period, adding that such cooperation was necessary to actualize the vision and programmes of the Wike administration.

The RIWAMA boss who also acknowledged that these efforts by Service Providers have helped the Agency in achieving success in service delivery, however urged them to do more, as “We do not want to see any waste anywhere in Port Harcourt and its environs in year 2020”.

“I urge all Service Providers working with the Agency to put in extra effort to achieve our objective of a dirt-free Port Harcourt and its environs. Our dream to attain 100% cleanliness of Port Harcourt, the State capital and its environs is a task that must be done, and with a little more effort from all Service Providers, this mission would surely be achieved”, Bro. Obuah intoned.

Signed:

Jerry Needam

Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Bro. Felix Obuah, Sole Administrator,
Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA).

Friday, January 03, 2020.

Press Statement

RIWAMA Cancels Sanitation Exercise For Saturday, December 28, 2019

…As Sole Administrator, Bro. Felix Obuah Commends Service Providers For Job Well Done

This month's monthly sanitation exercise earlier billed to hold across the
state tomorrow, Saturday, December 28, 2019 has been cancelled.

The Sole Administrator, Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA), Bro. Felix Obuah in a statement said the cancellation of the exercise was to allow residents and those doing business in the State to observe the festive season.

While wishing people of the State a happy and prosperous Christmas and
New Year celebrations, Bro. Obuah however urged them to keep their surroundings clean and observe the dumping hours of 6pm to 12 midnight and also ensure to dump their wastes at RIWAMA approved receptacles only.

He said it would be wrong for people to use the opportunity of the festive period to dump their wastes indiscriminately and flout sanitation laws, warning that Sanitation Marshals are still on duty and would arrest anyone seen to be flouting the Sanitation rules.

The RIWAMA Sole Administrator in the statement also commended the
efforts of RIWAMA Service Providers in keeping Port Harcourt and its environs clean and urged them to keep up the tempo.

Bro. Obuah appealed to residents and those doing business in the State to appreciate the efforts of Service Providers of RIWAMA by cleaning their
environments and dumping their wastes only at the RIWAMA approved
receptacles and also observe the dumping hours of 6pm to 12 midnight.

Signed:

Jerry Needam

Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Bro. Felix Obuah, Sole Administrator,
Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA).

Friday, December 27, 2019.

Press Statement

Rivers State Monthly Sanitation Exercise Holds Saturday, November 30, 2019

…As RIWAMA Announces Strict Restriction of Movement During The Period

…Urges Full Participation By All Local Government Chairmen

The Sole Administrator, Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA), Bro. Felix Obuah, has announced that this month’s State-wide Sanitation exercise will hold on Saturday, November 30, 2019, across the 23 Local Government Areas of the State from 7am – 10am.

Bro. Obuah in a statement said there will be strict restriction of human and vehicular movements during the period of the exercise from 7am – 10am.

The RIWAMA Sole Administrator enjoined all the Council Chairmen in the 23 Local Government Councils of the State and Councilors to mobilize their people and ensure they clean their surroundings while also ensuring that gutters and other water channels are cleared of debris to allow for free flow of water.

He also appealed to security agencies, particularly all Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) and Area Commanders, to strictly enforce the restriction of human and vehicular movement order during the period of the exercise across the State.

The Sole Administrator also enjoined all Rivers people and those living and doing business in the State to comply accordingly by using the period to clean their environment and surroundings as defaulters will be arrested and prosecuted.

He urged owners of trucks (individuals and corporate organizations) to make available their trucks for evacuation of wastes that would be generated during the period of the sanitation exercise.

The RIWAMA boss also called on traditional rulers, church leaders, Community Development Committees (CDCs) and youth groups to mobilize their people to clean their surroundings.

While urging the people of the State to support Governor Nyesom Wike’s vision of a clean and safe environment, Bro. Obuah reiterated the uncompromising commitment of the Agency in ensuring that Port Harcourt regains its Garden City status as well as having a healthy and clean State for the citizenry.

Signed:

Jerry Needam

Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Bro. Felix Obuah, Sole Administrator,
Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA),

Thursday, November 28, 2019.