By Collins Gbaranwi
Worried by the filthiness of Port Harcourt and its environs, the State Director of National Orientation Agency NOA in Rivers State, Dr. Edward Banigo, has called for the re-introduction of the monthly sanitation exercise in the state, to raise peoples’ consciousness about their environment.
Speaking with Radio Nigeria, Dr. Banigo, lamented that Port Harcourt which was once regarded as a Garden City, is presently the dirtiest among cities in the south East and South South regions of the country, and urged the state Sole Administrator, retired Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ibas, to take decisive action to clean up the city.
“The city is an image of the state, if it is clean people regard it. Go to all the states in the south south and south East, non is as dirty as PortHarcourt. If the government rises up to the situation, they have the instrument of coercion, they have the instrument to doing what is right. They have the wherewithal to direct the people on what to do. But when govervnment is just complacent, all we focus on playing politics; This is the outcome” Banigo said.
Dr. Banigo, who decried the habit of dumping refuse into existing drains by some residents of Port Harcourt, warned that Rivers State which is located within the rain belt, will experience serious flooding if deliberate efforts are not taken by relevant authorities to clear blocked drainages.
While emphasising that residents of Port Harcourt have crucial roles to play in ensuring a clean environment, the NOA State Director called on government to adopt measures to prosecute those caught violating environmental laws and regulations in the state instead of bringing blueprint on how to manage the state
Dr. Banigo assured that NOA will always partner the state government to sensitise the people on the need to keep their environment clean.
