The Rivers State Waste Management Agency has announced a ban on indiscriminate waste disposal on medians in Port Harcourt and its environs, warning that stiff penalty awaits defaulters.

This announcement comes on the heels of a planned meeting with waste contractors and agents over what he described as a waste crisis in the state.

The Chairman of RIWAMA, Dr Samuel Nwanosike, announced in Port Harcourt, the state capital, shortly after the new board of the agency assumed office.

Recall that the State Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), while inaugurating the new RIWAMA Board, charged the agency to rid the city and communities of waste and come up with a system of efficiency, sustainability and discipline.

Ahead of the meeting with waste contractors and business partners of the agency, the RIWAMA board chair also announced the immediate dissolution of all sanitation marshals and task forces previously set up by the agency.

He said, ?We are using this medium to invite all contractors and agents who work for RIWAMA for an emergency meeting at the authority office. We want to know why we have the refuse crisis in Rivers State. There is no exemption for that meeting.?

The RIWAMA boss also warned that contractors will no longer collect unbagged waste, urging residents and business owners to properly bag their refuse for easy evacuation.

At the inauguration, Nwanosike announced the re-commencement of the monthly sanitation exercise to be held from 7 am to 10 am every last Saturday of the month.

He called on security agencies to ensure enforcement.

He said, ?We are going back to the era of monthly environmental sanitation, starting from 7 am to 10 am. We want to say that everybody involved in essential duties will have to apply to this agency five days minimum before the exercise to get approval.

?We will not witch-hunt anybody, but we will make sure that nobody is above the law of RIWAMA.? (PUNCH)

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