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 management of the Rivers State University, (RSU), Nkpolu Oroworukwu Port Harcourt has admitted eleven thousand and eighty-three students to study in various disciplines and courses for 2024/2025 academic sessions in the university.
The vice chancellor of the university,prof Isaac Zeb-Obipi disclosed this during his address at the 43rd matriculation ceremony of the institution held at the convocation arena in Port Harcourt, last Friday.
Zeb-obipi expressed delight that it was a privilege to welcome everyone to the momentous occasion, marking the beginning of an exciting academic journey for the new students and described matriculation as an important ceremony organised by institutions, especially universities.
“Though this is the 43rd matriculation ceremony of the university,it is the first under my watch as vice chancellor, and I am highly excited that I am having my tail cut in the conduct of this significant ritual of matriculation.”
“Once again, I give God all the glory and thank the State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, the 14th Governing council under the leadership of Her Excellency, Hon. Justice Mary Odili and the host of others who played one role or the other in my emergence as the vice chancellor. May I also use this opportunity to acknowledge my co-contenstants that made the selection a worthy competition, especially Prof Adolphus J. Toby and prof Nkalo H.Ukoima. There is no doubt that they all mean well for the university and as such i am studying the various vision statements they had submitted for possible inclusion in the efforts to implement what we have, “he stated.
He explained that his vision is to transform the university into a world class, innovative, inclusive institution, fostering a culture of excellence, creativity, and social responsibility through the re-engineering of the university’s academic, administrative, and community engagement frameworks to ensure that they are student centric, faculty driven, community oriented responsive to the need of the 21st century.
According to him the university aim to achieve the visions by enhancing academic programmes to meet global standards, strengthening research capacity and promoting innovation and improving infrastructure and facilities to support teaching, learning research, and fostering partnerships with industries, government, and other stakeholders to promote community engagement and entrepreneurship among others.
The VC while giving the statistics of the administration said a total of 29,107 candidates took the university as first choice in the 2024 JAMB Examination, 16,172 qualified the institution 190 cutoff mark, 15,348 registered for the post UTME, while 15,014 participated in university test and out of the number,11,083 was admitted.
The VC while congratulating the matriculants, urged them to shun any forms of social vices such as cultism, examination malpractices, sorting and indicent dressing, adding that the the school has zero tolerance on indiscipline and other anti social behaviours that are detrimental to societal growth.
Akujobi Amadi
The Vice Chairman of Opobo Council of Chiefs, Alabo Edwin Cockeye Brown has joined the chorus of voices calling for an immediate end to the suspension of democratically elected officials in Rivers State.
The Opobo chiefs Council’s vice chair who was speaking on the sidelines at an emergency stakeholders’ congress of the INC held at the Ijaw House in Yenagoa last Wednesday, emphasized the gravity of the suspension of a state governor, deputy and legislators, characterizing it as an unprecedented assault on the democratic process.
He argued that suspending an elected governor and the state legislature not only undermine the mandate given by the electorate but also poses a significant threat to the political stability of the state. Brown further declared the suspension as “an aberration and travesty of the constitution.”
His words, “Even though the Nigerian Constitution grants the President powers to declare a state of emergency under Section 305, it does not authorize the suspension of democratically elected officials, such as governors or members of the legislature. The proper procedure for removing a governor is outlined in Section 188 of the Constitution, which requires legislative processes rather than executive fiat”.
Brown went on, “The unconstitutional suspension of democratically elected government officials is a Slowly but surely dismantling of democratic structures. This will not help our fledgling democracy, but will destroy all the gains so far made in this democratic dispensation”.
“This is not just about Governor Fubara; it is about every citizen of Rivers State who participated in a democratic election,” he stated. He added, “Injustice in Rivers State is injustice all over Nigeria because we are all governed by one constitution.”
He expressed concern that such actions could set a dangerous precedent, eroding public trust in the electoral system and democratic institutions across Nigeria.
He further articulated the historical context of the Ijaw struggle for
representation, highlighting the community’s long-standing grievances
regarding political marginalization.
“For over 24 years, we have fought to regain our rightful place in governance,” Brown remarked. “To have that struggle undermined by a unilateral decision from the federal government is not just
frustrating—it is an affront to our identity and aspirations as Ijaw people.”
Brown called for a united front among Ijaw leaders and communities,
urging them to resist any attempts to divide or silence their voices.
He underscored the importance of dialogue and reconciliation as vital
pathways to resolving the ongoing crisis, rather than resorting to forceful measures that could exacerbate tensions. “We must engage with
the federal government, but we will do so on our terms,” he insisted.
In closing, Brown reaffirmed his commitment to the principles of
justice and equity, emphasizing that the Ijaw people would not back down in their quest for recognition and respect.
“We are prepared to stand firm and advocate for our rights. Our
history is rich with leaders who have fought for us, and we will not
allow their sacrifices to be in vain,” he concluded, rallying support
for a peaceful resolution that honors the democratic process and the will of the Rivers people.
The high-profile one-day stakeholders’ meeting brought together
influential Ijaw leaders, including Bayelsa State Governor, Douye
Diri, his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo; former Rivers State
Governor and Amanyanabo of Twon-Brass, King Alfred Diete-Spiff; former Rivers Governor, Chief Rufus Ada-George; and former Bayelsa Deputy
Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah.
Also in attendance were the Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of
Assembly, Abraham Ingobere; National Chairman of the Pan Niger Delta
Forum (PANDEF), Dr. Boladei Igali; prominent traditional rulers from
various parts of Ijawland; the President of the Ijaw Youth Council
(IYC), Jonathan Lokpobiri and many other notable Ijaw leaders from across the Niger Delta.