Rivers
Let’s Keep PH Clean
If we have to tell ourselves the truth, we are directly or indirectly responsible for the mess being littered in some streets within the metropolis and its environs.
When you go round the city, you will still see dirt litered all over even after the Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA) has banned the dumping of refuse and unnecessary heaps refuse still found on the carriage ways of the major roads.
Although with the way people are complaining, changes are taking place except a few places where some persons have not realised the importance of dwelling in a clean environment.
It may interest you to know that Eliozu and Oil Mill/Eleme Junction axis of the road is being taken care of. Road sweepers have been doing what they know best. I must also commend RIWAMA for realising that while other roads and streets in Port Harcourt are clean, that portion is also given attention.
There are areas that still need attention as some residents refused to abide by the rules provided by RIWAMA. Those rules are for the good of all and sundry.
Indiscriminate dumping of refuse can cause a lot of ailments. Sicknesses such as cholera, dysentery, malaria as a result of mosquito bites, name them, can be contracted when the environment is dirty.
We are not unaware that RIWAMA has severally notified residents of Port Harcourt and its environs about the time of disposal of waste. But some persons refuse to obey for reasons best know to them. It is a matter of bagging the wastes and dropping them at designated dump sites where trucks pick them. It is worrisome to see people abandon bags of refuse on the streets where they think nobody sees them. More disturbing is the fact that the ones who use containers usually go and pour out the contents on the roads and even in the drainages while it is raining.
Excuses given by some residents are no longer cogent for dirt to be littered in the roads and it does not make sense while we tell ourselves the truth that residents are directly not indirectly responsible for the mess in most parts of the city.
Another challenge is the issue of scavengers who go to the dump sites in search of scrap metals. There are areas where people have maintained the rules and regulations stipulated by the agency in charge of wastes, but the scavengers do not help matters. Their business is to go about using sticks to open refuse bags and at the end of the day, the whole place is messed up.
It is also high time their activities were checked and a law put in place by relevant authorities so as to stop such menace. Scavengers should stop scattering refuse dumps in search of scrap metals because I am not sure that it contributes to the revenue of Rivers State.
It sounds strange to hear some persons saying that they do not know where to dump refuse and that the dump sites are far from their houses. Not just that, they often feign ignorance of the approved time.
For over a decade, RIWAMA’s stipulated time for refuse disposal has been between 6:00pm and 12:00 midnight, when the trucks pack at designated places to pick them. In fact there are many of them on major roads in the city.
Those who reside within the most populated areas like Mile 1, Mile 2, Mile 3 in Diobu, especially the market areas should be reminded from time to time through the media and in the streets using mega phones by RIWAMA officials as a form of sensitisation. More awareness will be created by telling them the dangers of dumping refuse indiscriminately within the environment.
The idea and excuse that people cannot walk far distance to dispose should be condemned and anyone found dumping refuse in unauthorised places and time should be arrested by law enforcement agents. Offenders should be mandated to pay a token. I think that will serve as deterrent to others.
It calls for attention that as people are aware of the rules and regulations, they still disobey by giving excuses that they never met the trucks. The dangers arising from dirty environment cannot be imagined.
The cleaner the environment we find ourselves, the healthier we are. Apart from the COVID-19 pandemic, a lot of diseases can be contracted. Flies can transfer germs from such places to perch on food and fruits sold by the roadside. The environment can be contaminated through the air. There are plastic disposal containers and baskets hung at some designated places within reserved areas, yet some persons take laws into their hands and throw dirt from moving vehicles.
I remember sometime ago, when RIWAMA used to keep a staff at receptacles to apprehend any erring resident who flouts the directive of 6:00pm to 12:00 midnight. There are areas in Port Harcourt where they normally ring bell as a reminder for people to send their dirt to the waiting trucks. This was operational in Woji and Rumuibekwe areas. On Rumuola Road, I have seen where a truck packed between 6:00pm and 7:00 pm while residents disposed off their dirt.
The issue of unknown persons defecating on the streets and major roads is posing a problem. A full-grown adult will stoop down to defecate when he or she thinks that nobody is coming that way. At the end of the day, someone will mistakenly step on the waste.
Humans should avoid situations where taskforce must be used to go after them before doing what is right. There should be public conveniences in some designated points so that people can help themselves as they are engaged in their daily activities.
I have seen where residents engage some persons on contract on weekly basis to pick refuse from house to house and they are paid. Those who do not meet the time and trucks should engage such services in the streets and estates.
Government and relevant agencies should enforce the law to ensure that offenders are punished. When that is done, indiscriminate dumping of refuse will definitely be minimised.
By: Eunice Choko-Kayode
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has charged youths across the nine states of the commission to be ambassadors of peace building initiatives .
This move is to sustain the existing peace to propel development across the region.
The NDDC managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Dr Samuel Ogbuku,gave the directive while declaring open a capacity building program for Niger Delta stakeholders on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and inclusive peace for sustainable development organised by the department of dispute and conflict resolution ( DCR) of the commission held in port Harcourt, Tuesday.
The program which is part of activities to mark the silver jubilee celebration of the birth of the commission has the theme: fostering lasting peace through ADR : lessons from the past, building future opportunities to advance the renewed hope agenda.
The NDDC managing Director/chief executive officer represented by his chief of staff,Rev Omeya Oworibo advised the youths of Niger Delta region to be vanguards of peace and avoid actions that could jeopardize the existing peace achieved in the region.
He emphasised that sustainable development can only be achieved in an atmosphere of peace devoid of rancour and acrimony, stressing that as critical stakeholders in the region, they are to seen themselves as agents of development and to build frontiers with the commission to advance the developmental needs of the people of Niger Delta region.
He averred that the various developmental achieved by the commission was associated to the prevailing peace and stability noticed in the region.
He opined that the essence of the workshop is to brainstorm with the various stakeholders in the region ,especially the youths, on how best to ensure that the existing peace in region is sustained and how we can best manage ourselves without being confrontational.
According to him,the commission is open for positive and constructive engagement , adding that dialogue and meditation remains the key to finding a lasting peace in the society.
” I am excited on the level of people in this workshop and our core mandate is how to build and sustain the existing peace in the region.How do we keep and maintain this peace already achieved.”he stated.
The NDDC managing Director and chief executive officer urged them to carry the message of peace and stability to their various communities and villages so as to assist the commission achieve it’s core mandate of development in the Region.
Earlier in his welcome of address, the acting director, Dispute & Conflict Resolution (DCR),Ogedegbe Ayewumi Godwin(Esq), said the gathering is with shared commitment to harness the power of alternative dispute resolution ( ADR)as a critical instrument for sustaining peace, unlocking development and advancing the renewed Hope Agenda across the Niger Delta and beyond.
He stated that we stand at a consequential moment in our national journey, noting that the theme for the workshop “fostering lasting peace through ADR: lessons from the past, Building future opportunities to advance the renewed Hope Agenda”calls us to reflect deeply on what has worked, what must be reinforced and how we can leverage ADR to translate policy intentions into tangible, peaceful, and prosperous outcome for communities that have borne the brunt of conflict for too long.
Akujobi Amadi
The Chief Judge of Rivers state, justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi has charged neutral arbitrators participating in the median edition of the first free settlement Alternative Dispute Resolution initiative organised by the state multi _Door Courthouse to be neutral and unbiased in adjudicating cases brought before them for determination.
Justice Amadi stated this while declaring open a one _week free settlement initiative program held at the chief judge ceremonial court complex held on Monday,in port Harcourt.
The state chief judge represented on the event by justice I.R.Minakiri said the essence of the initiative is to provide faster and lesser means of conflict resolution in the state.
According to him,ADR is the oldest practice in dispute resolution as its foundation is traceable to the bible ,using the moses model of dispute resolution and settlement approach,noting that conflicts can not be ruled out in human activities
He urged them to be intentional and have clear vision on cases brought before them and avoid ethnic and cultural colouration while discharging their sacred responsibility, nothing that those involved in peace making are regarded as true sons of God as recorded in the scripture.
The number one judiciary worker in the state use the opportunity to thank the neutrals for responding to call of duty and dispensing justice free of charge, noting that there huge contributions to peace building and conflict resolution in the state can not be overemphasized.
“You must be open minded and avoid being stereotype so that you can have a clear vision on the cases brought before you”
Earlier in his welcome address,the director, State multi _Door Court House, (RSMDC),victor Nweke,Esq said the
one-week free settlement initiative through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) was part of efforts to ease congestion in conventional courts.
Nweke encouraged the public to utilize the platform, particularly for commercial and family-related disputes and explained that the law establishing the institution empowers it to undertake such functions, adding that cases not concluded within the free settlement week would still be finalized under the same privilege.
He posisted that the hallmark of the conduct of the session is the neutrality and confidentiality and commended the arbitrators for the volunteering there time to dispense free justice and intermediate in conflict resolution in the state free of charge
The Vice Chancellor of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE) Professor Okechukwu Onuchukwu, has revealed valuable insights on how scholars can thrive in an Artificial Intelligence ( AI) in the Country .
Speaking at the 40th Conference of English Scholars Association of Nigeria ( ESAN) in conjunction with the English and Literary Studies tagged “Advancing the Frontiers of Digital Humanities Research In English and Literary Studies” with the theme – Teaching English and Literary Studies In Nigeria Tertiary Institutions In The Era of AI. Prof Onuchukwu said the theme of the conference provides a roadmap for navigating the challenges as well as opportunities being presented by Artificial Intelligence.
The VC who was represented by the Director, Quality Assurance, Prof Levi Kalagbor hinted that the conference shouldn’t end at identifying social ,academic problems facing humanity but proffer solutions to better human existence.
Prof Onuchukwu insisted that Artificial Intelligence should be followed with the aim of averting problems for human race .
He noted that collaboration among the pillars of the Institution will be extended to research, teaching and community service, stressing that the essence of it cannot be over- emphasised.
According to him, the core values of the Institution anchored on excellence ,integrity and service will also not to be compromised.
“I encourage the organisers to embrace AI and use it for the advancement of humanity.
English scholars should implore AI tools that can enhance research, teaching and learning process, such as AI- driven content generation”, he said.
In his remarks, the President English Scholars Association of Nigeria(ESAN) Prof. Tajudeen Surakat stressed the importance of training and re- training of English scholars for greater contribution towards educational advancement of the society.
The ESAN President said it was part of their responsibilities by engaging in academic exercise as to become more prepared to impact knowledge on humanity.
In her speech the Chairperson of the Local Organising Committee ( LOC) of the conference Prof Ibiere Ken- Maduako said the theme of this year’ s conference is apt considering the role AI is playing in the society.
Prof Maduako, Dean Faculty of Humanities, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education called on participants to use the opportunity to contribute towards the enhancement of knowledge .
” As I speak members of my faculty and the Institution are happy for the successful hosting of the conference. It was made possible based on support the VC, staff and students had given.
Highlights of the event includes ; induction of new members
Presentation of papers by scholars from different higher institutions in Nigeria , revealing benefits of AI.
” I am optimistic that the conference will achieve its set goals. Students are expected to participate actively as to gain more academic skills” She stated.