Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has announced plans to permanently relocate the major refuse dumpsite situated along the busy Port Harcourt Airport–Obiri-Ikwerre Road, describing its current location as both a health hazard and a poor gateway image for visitors entering the state capital.
The governor made this known on Tuesday during an inspection of a proposed alternative dumpsite located at a disused burrow pit near Bambo Estate, off Eneka Road in Igwuruta, Ikwerre Local Government Area. The site is being considered for conversion into a modern, permanent refuse disposal facility.
Governor 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’s proximity to the Airport Road posed serious environmental and health concerns.
He explained,
“The kind of environmental hazards that we are facing there along the Airport–Obiri-Ikwerre Road; the smell on that road being the entrance into the state, we felt it’s not proper. So, we are making alternative arrangements to have a permanent refuse dumpsite that meets acceptable standards.”
Governor Fubara further assured that the government would finalise ownership of the new land, build access roads, and provide infrastructure to ensure the new facility becomes operational as soon as possible.
“We have not concluded the issue of the burrow pit, but the access road, I think the government is doing something about it. So, I will make sure that everything that needs to be done to ensure government owns this burrow pit is done,” he added.
He commended the Waste Management Agency for its improved and proactive approach to keeping the state clean, noting that the relocation would further boost environmental hygiene and beautify Port Harcourt’s entry corridor.
The governor also inspected ongoing construction at the Permanent Secretaries’ Quarters in Elimgbu Town, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, where he assessed the progress of work on site.
