Agency Reporter

Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA) has expressed concern over possible build-up of waste, following truncated operations of contractors by protesters on Eleme/Onne axis of the East/West road.

The Sole Administrator of the agency, Mr. Felix Obuah, made this known in a statement yesterday in Port Harcourt, signed by Mr. Jerry Nedaam, his media aide.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalled that vehicular movements were on Monday obstructed by a group of youths from Eleme Local Government on a peaceful protest.

The action was to seek Federal Government’s intervention in the economically essential federal road.

Obuah said because of blockage of roads by the youth, most trucks on refuse evacuation duties were demobilised on their way from dump sites in Eleme Local Government.

Read Also; ADEJOKE LASISI: Working with waste made me environmentally-conscious

He called for cooperation from the public over possible impact of such delay on the environment and residents in the affected area.

Obuah said some trucks heading for the dump sites could not continue their duties, as they were delayed for hours.

“We look forward to a quick intervention by relevant authorities to end the protest soon.

“However, the agency will not relent in seeking modalities to carry out its duties within the ambits of the law and ensuring that wastes are not allowed to accumulate on account of the ongoing protest.

“As soon as logistics are concluded, more vehicles will be mobilised to help evacuate accumulated wastes in and around the affected areas,” he explained in the statement.

The RIWAMA head promised that the agency would prioritise environmental sanitation, as authorised by the Governor Nyesom Wike administration.

The deplorable Eleme-Onne road, besides connecting communities within the state, adjoined neighbouring Akwa-Ibom State as well as the Eleme Petrochemical industry, Indorama, and Onne seaport.