By: Felix Ikpotor
The Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA) has arrested and arraigning 18 persons for offenses relating to improper waste disposal and violations of the state’s environmental laws.
The offenders were apprehended by the agency’s enforcement team across various locations engaging in activities detrimental to the environment and undermining efforts to promote cleanliness in the state.
A statement signed by RIWAMA’s Director of Legal Affairs, Helen Ohaka on Monday, emphasized that the arrests signal a zero-tolerance approach towards indiscriminate waste disposal, saying, “This is no longer business as usual.”
Ohaka disclosed that of the 18 individuals brought before the RIWAMA mobile court, 14 received fines corresponding to their offenses, while two were sentenced to the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre.
The remaining two, according to her, were discharged by the presiding magistrate.
The RIWAMA legal affairs director urged residents to maintain clean surroundings and business premises, warning that improper waste disposal poses significant health and environmental risks.
She also commended Prince Obi Ohia, RIWAMA’s Acting Sole Administrator for his leadership in establishing the mobile court and ensuring that environmental offenders are held accountable.
