Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers, has announced plans to permanently relocate the refuse dumpsite along the Port Harcourt International Airport–Obiri-Ikwerre Road, describing it as a public health risk and an eyesore for visitors arriving in the State capital.
The governor made the disclosure on Tuesday during an inspection of a proposed new dumpsite, a disused burrow pit near Bambo Estate, off Eneka Road in Igwuruta, Ikwerre Local Government Area of the state.
The site is being evaluated as a permanent waste disposal location.
Fubara, who was accompanied by the Chairman of the Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA), Dr. Samuel Nwanosike, and the agency’s Managing Director, Dr. Ibimina Wokoma, said the current dumpsite was poorly situated.
“The smell and environmental hazards at that location, especially being the entry point into our State, are unacceptable.
“We are working on a lasting solution to ensure Port Harcourt presents a cleaner, more welcoming image, ” he said.
Gôvernor Fubara added that the government would fast-track the acquisition of the new site and complete access roads to make it operational as soon as possible.
“We’re finalising the ownership process for the burrow pit. At the same time, construction work on the road leading to the site is underway,” he said.
He also praised RIWAMA for what he called a more “assertive and effective” approach to waste management in recent months and encouraged the agency to sustain its efforts.
The governor also visited the Permanent Secretaries’ Quarters in Elimgbu, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, where he assessed progress on the ongoing construction of residential units for senior government officials.
