Fubara cancels monthly sanitation in Rivers

The Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA) has voided the mandatory monthly sanitation exercise following a meeting with Governor Siminalayi Fubara at Government House, Port Harcourt.

The exercise, which was slated to commence on the first Saturday of every month, was earlier announced by Dr. Samuel Nwanosike, Chairman of RIWAMA’s Board, shortly after assuming office. The move, however, drew widespread criticism from the public.

Nwanosike, a former Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area and ally of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, told journalists on Thursday that the governor had directed the adoption of a new strategy for waste management.

He said, “Subsequently, we also want to seize the opportunity to inform the people of Rivers State that the initially proposed environmental sanitation exercise that was supposed to hold on the 4th of October is hereby put off until further notice.

“This is to allow us build more capacity in tackling the issues of refuse management in the state. The governor wants a different approach — to put a human face to waste management and to ensure that the people see results and get the best of it.”

According to him, Governor Fubara is determined to ensure a clean and healthy environment for residents and has ordered immediate action against indiscriminate refuse disposal and the blocking of drains.

Nwanosike added that the governor had assured the agency of full support, including the provision of new dumpsites and infrastructure to strengthen RIWAMA’s operations.

“It is the governor’s wish that the people live in good health. He has given directives on the actions to take, and now Rivers people will enjoy the dividends of democracy in waste management.

“His Excellency has also assured us that he will build the capacity required by the Board and Management, provide an enabling environment for us to work, and ensure we deliver on this new action plan,” he said.

RIWAMA was one of the parastatals reconstituted by the immediate past Sole Administrator of the state, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), during the six-month emergency rule declared by President Bola Tinubu.

Ibas vacated office on September 18, 2025, following the termination of the emergency rule and the reinstatement of Governor Fubara, his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, and the State House of Assembly.