Some schoolchildren have protested against the indiscriminate dumping of refuse in front of their premises along Rumuekini-Aluu Road in the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The pupils, in an online video, wore facemasks and carried placards with various inscriptions to express their grievances.

They were accompanied by an adult female believed to be one of their teachers.

One of the pupils, who spoke in the video, said the refuse heap was directly opposite the school premises, adding that the situation could cause an epidemic.

“Directly opposite this school you have this huge refuse heap. This is definitely not healthy for the students, teachers and management. Please the management of the school needs help,” he stated.

Soon afterward, the children started chanting in unison, ‘Rivers State Government please come to our aid. Enough is enough!’

Though the refuse heap was later cleared, a business owner in the area, who did not identify himself, called for a receptacle to be provided to curb the indiscriminate dumping of refuse along the road, which she said was also affecting her business.

“When it rains now, you can’t stay here. The thing will be oozing and you can’t stay. Our children have been falling sick, even teachers. We have been working with the state waste management agency. Sometimes, the refuse will stay up to one or two weeks,” she added.

(The PUNCH)