Keeping Rivers State Clean

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KEEPING RIVERS STATE CLEAN: THE ROLE OF TRADE UNIONS, CIVIL SOCIETY AND CITIZENS

INTRODUCTION

3 basic terms are vital in shaping the course of this presentation and they are:

CLEANLINESS : is the state of being clean and free from dirt, and the process of achieving and maintaining that state.

SANITATION: refers to the maintenance of hygienic conditions, through services such as garbage collection and wastewater disposal.

WASTE MANAGEMENT: is the collection, transport, processing or disposal, managing and monitoring of waste materials. The term usually relates to materials produced by human activity, and the process is generally undertaken to reduce their effect on health and the environment.

IS RIVERS STATE CLEAN?

Can we truly say our state is free from dirt and has a stature befitting a state that is the hub of the oil and gas industry in Nigeria? Are we satisfied with our current state of cleanliness? Do we have and practice globally acceptable sanitary habits? Can we improve our sanitary habits and benchmark Rivers State against similar oil rich states globally?

WHAT MAKES A CLEAN STATE?

A sanitary system that enhances the health, well-being and average life-expectancy of people who live in Rivers State through improved sanitary habits, cleaner environment, fresher waters, lower carbon emission and sustainable waste management.

This is the reason the vision of the Waste Management Authority is to transform Rivers State into a cleaner and greener state characterized by clean and greener cities, fresh waters and low carbon footprints.

WHAT ISSUES REINFORCE THE NEED FOR A CLEAN STATE

That improvement in sanitary habits can reduce the leg counts in hospitals and reduce government investment in healthcare.
That average life expectancy can be increased through improved sanitary condition.
That proper management of waste can reduce water pollution and aid access to safer sources of portable water
That investments by the State to develop tourism will be wasted if the waste handling situation does not improve
That if waste is managed as business it could serve as a major source of wealth creation and empowerment for people in Rivers State
That beside being a KPI of good governance, half of the MDG goals are linked to sanitation

WHAT ISSUES INHIBIT THE ATTAINMENT OF A CLEAN STATE

Ignorance
Waste handling culture
Political Interference
Resistance to change
Ageing work force
Security: Security personnel, cultists, politicians, rapists

HOW DO WE DEAL WITH THE CHALLENGES OF WASTE MANAGEMENT?

Enhance stakeholder buy-in to facilitate the adoption of new waste management culture through education, enlightenment and involvement
Efficient monitoring of waste generators and enforcement of waste management law
Enhance the waste management value-chain for wealth/job creation and empowerment
Transparent management practices to encourage private sector investment
Efficient service delivery by service providers
Clear definition of service delivery parameters and key performance indicators

UNDERLYING PRINCIPLES

A recognition that people are our core resource.
A culture of collaborative relationship
Constant engagement with Stakeholders
Strict adherence to management process
Satisfying the customer

The Role of Trade Unions and Civil Society

Proactive Engagement with Waste Management Practitioners to understand, develop and entrench a sustainable waste management culture
Development and implementation of strategic Advocacy projects aimed at educating stakeholders especially union members, children and the indigent in society on best practices in waste handling and management.
Training and equipping Community Based Organisations CBOs (especially youth and women) with skills in sustainable waste management.

Col3. Training and equipping Community Based Organisations CBOs (especially youth and women) with skills in sustainable waste management.
laborating with Waste Management Authority to drive messages and implementing projects aimed at achieving sustainable waste management in all parts of Rivers State.
Monitoring performance of Waste Management Authority and her service providers with a view to enhancing quality service delivery to the public

The Role of Citizens

Know the laws and other ancillary regulations on waste management
Obey the laws and other ancillary regulations on waste management
Ensure compliance of the laws/regulations on waste management by other citizens and corporate citizens
Report Non-compliance of the laws/regulations by other stakeholders to Waste Management Authority
Take ownership of the duty to keep their immediate environment clean and prolong the lives of other residents
Helping in enforcement of, developing and sustaining a new waste management culture which are reflected in bagging and binning of waste, stoppage of littering and indiscriminate dumping and adoption of new strategies to reuse and recycle to reduce waste.
Monitor compliance of service providers with operational guidelines and give feedback to Waste Management Authority

CONCLUSION

The first impression visitors get of any city is its cleanliness or otherwise as such clean environment adds values to all aspects of Government/business activities
Improved sanitary condition leads to better health and living standard and reduces government investment in healthcare
Provision of basic waste management infrastructure will encourage private sector participation
Waste management is a low hanging fruit requiring little investment but yielding enormous dividends
Waste management is a collective responsibility. All stakeholders must take ownership

CAN RIVERS STATE BE CLEAN? YES!

THROUGH COLLABORATION AND SUSTAINABLE WASTE MANAGEMENT.

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