Edith CHUKU
Worried about the dangers of flood to health, lives, property and businesses, the Nkpolu Oroworukwo Community Environmental Sanitation and Revenue CommIttee, in the Port Harcourt Local Government Area of Rivers State, has vehemently warned residents to desist from dumping refuse in drainages.
The committee who took a tour round the community on Thursday, also urged residents and business owners to clear their drainages for free-flow of water.
In an interactive session with the people, the committee chairman, Mr. Innocent Wechie, who expressed concern over the incessant heavy rainfall enlightened them on the dangers of dumping refuse on drainages and blocking of the drainages.
Wechie said “the job is all about the cleanliness of Nkpolu Oroworukwo community and the health of people living in the community.
“If you look around, we are on inspection. Today is sanitation, 7-10am. We want all residents, both indigenes and non indigenes to clean their drainage, keep their environment clean.
“The rain is intensifying and we are making sure nobody throws refuse inside the gutter. Once they dump refuse inside the gutter, the drainage will be blocked which will lead to flood and compounds will be flooded. So that is the essence of what we are doing.
“Before we go out in the morning, we pray, we hand over our work to God. Is only God that can protect us and give us that wisdom.”
Speaking about his team members, he revealed that, “to avoid violation of human rights, I always talk to them in the morning, tell them not to violate somebody’s rights. If somebody violate the law and you meet the person and the person is still adamant, you should invite the Police or the RIWAMA people to join force with you to apprehend the person.
“We believe in rule of law. We don’t want a situation where we will have problem. We know the work is challenging and as it is challenging, we make sure we follow due process. You must have challenge in life.”
Wechie added that “anything you are doing in life that is good, has it’s own challenges. We also bring people to educate our members on human rights, talk to them on what constitutes human rights too.
“Before now, we have also sensitized the residents on the dangers and negative effects of dumping refuse in the drainage and blocking the drainage system.”
The committee chairman assured that the members will continue to do their best to ensure a clean and healthy environment.
