Rivers Stakeholders Demand Improved Waste Evacuation, Stricter Sanitation Enforcement

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PORT HARCOURT – Rivers stakeholders, alongside government agencies and youth volunteers, on Friday used the commemoration of World Environment Day 2026 to demand improved waste evacuation and stricter sanitation enforcement across the state.

The demand comes against the backdrop of worsening sanitation conditions in parts of the state, characterized by indiscriminate refuse disposal and delays in the evacuation of waste from collection points.

Participants at the event also underscored the importance of embracing cleaner and renewable energy alternatives as part of efforts to address climate change and promote environmental sustainability.

The event, themed “Inspired by Nature for Climate for our Future,” was held in Port Harcourt and sponsored by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) with support from Global Green Grant.

More than a ceremonial observance, the gathering provided a platform for stakeholders to advocate practical solutions to environmental challenges confronting the state.

Speaking at the event, the coordinator, Mr. Smith Nwokocha, said the initiative was aimed at showcasing nature-based and environmentally friendly approaches to tackling climate-related issues while encouraging greater commitment to sanitation and environmental protection.

“The main aim is to ensure that we have a safer environment. We want to further emphasize renewable energy, which is why we donated solar fans and lamps to some of the participants.

“This way, they can see firsthand the importance of using energy that is environmentally friendly,” Nwokocha said.

Dozens of attendees, including students and local community leaders, received the solar-powered devices, a move organizers described as a seed investment in a fossil-fuel-free future.

While renewable energy took center stage, the event also issued a stern reminder about the poor state of waste management by the Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA) in Rivers State.

In line with the global theme, Nwokocha called on the government to enforce stricter sanitation protocols.

He said, “We are calling on the government to ensure proper sanitation monitoring. The environment must be kept clean at all times, and we specifically call on RIWAMA to step up its efforts”.

The appeal comes amid growing concerns over drainage blockages, plastic pollution, and illegal dumping sites that have become breeding grounds for disease in parts of Port Harcourt.

Patron Joseph Nkatha, representative of the Peace Corps Commandant of the Rivers State Command, called on citizens to rally around a shared responsibility.

“Everyone has to be involved in maintaining a clean environment. Cleaning should not be left to the government alone.

“A healthy environment is the foundation of a healthy life,” Nkatha stated.

He encouraged residents to adopt daily waste-sorting habits and support community-led sanitation drives, warning that negligence often leads to avoidable health crises.

Environmental activist Era Theophilus delivered a hard-hitting address on the implications of an untidy environment, linking poor waste management to flooding, respiratory illnesses, and the spread of vector-borne diseases.

“An untidy environment is a silent killer,” Theophilus said.

She further urged the public and private sectors to accelerate the adoption of renewable energy across homes and industries.

“Renewable energy is not just an option; it is a necessity. It is safe, sustainable, and in harmony with nature”, she declared.

As the event drew to a close, participants lit up the dusk with their new solar lamps, a quiet but powerful symbol of what the future could look like.

With UNEP’s backing and grassroots momentum building, Rivers State may be on the cusp of a cleaner, greener chapter.

But as speakers repeatedly reminded the crowd, the climate for our future will be shaped not by one event, but by daily choices.