Governor Fubara Moves to Review Waste Management Strategy
The Rivers State Government has officially suspended the monthly sanitation exercise, a move that comes after weeks of public backlash and legal concerns.
The announcement was made on Thursday by the Chairman of the Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA), Samuel Wanosike, following a meeting between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the RIWAMA management team at the Government House, Port Harcourt.
Why the Sanitation Was Suspended
Wanosike explained that the suspension was necessary to allow the agency to build more capacity and explore better waste management strategies aimed at achieving a cleaner and healthier Rivers State.
He stressed the governor’s commitment to strengthening RIWAMA, assuring that Port Harcourt and other parts of the state would benefit from a renewed approach to waste management.
Criticism and Legal Concerns
The sanitation exercise, which was reintroduced in September 2025, sparked widespread criticism after the agency imposed a restriction of movement on sanitation Saturdays from 6:00 am to 10:00 am.
Civil society groups, legal practitioners, and public affairs analysts condemned the move, arguing that it infringed on the fundamental rights of citizens.
Critics also referenced a 2020 Federal High Court ruling in Port Harcourt, which declared that restricting vehicular and pedestrian movement during sanitation was illegal and unconstitutional.
What Next for Rivers State?
With the suspension now in place, the state government is expected to roll out alternative policies and innovative measures for waste control and environmental cleanliness.
The decision is seen as both a response to public outcry and a strategic move to modernize waste management in the oil-rich state.
it should have continue with reform