The Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA) has partnered with WasteWise Inc Ltd to launch a technology-driven waste collection system aimed at improving sanitation and reducing indiscriminate refuse disposal across the state.
The initiative, unveiled on Tuesday, also opened onboarding for Private Service Providers (PSPs), waste evacuators and vendors operating within Rivers State.
Managing Director of RIWAMA, Dr. Ibimina Wokoma, said the new digital system would formalise waste collection operations and phase out unregulated refuse handlers.
According to him, the initiative is designed to tackle indiscriminate dumping on road medians, canals and waterways while improving environmental monitoring across Port Harcourt and neighbouring local government areas.
“A waste collector is now just a call away,” Wokoma stated.
He explained that the WasteWise platform uses real-time data to optimise collection routes and ensure efficient service delivery, especially in hard-to-reach areas inaccessible to larger trucks.
“Where bigger trucks cannot access, licensed PSPs can reach those areas by design,” he added.
Wokoma further disclosed that the digital onboarding process would enable RIWAMA to monitor waste movement from households to designated environmentally managed dumpsites, thereby preventing illegal diversion and supporting data generation for recycling initiatives.
Founder of WasteWise Inc Ltd and Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Hagion International Ltd, Afekemor O. Gift, said the project would encourage separation of recyclable materials at source through trained PSPs.
He noted that the approach would not only prolong the lifespan of dumpsites but also provide raw materials for local recycling industries.
Gift added that vendors participating in the scheme would receive training on environmentally sustainable waste management practices capable of creating green jobs.
Chief Operating Officer of WasteWise Inc Ltd, Ikiriko Prosper Pepple, said the “call-away” waste collection model would help prevent refuse from accumulating for days in residential areas.
According to him, quicker waste evacuation would reduce methane emissions, curb the spread of disease vectors and minimise flooding caused by blocked drainage systems.
Wokoma said the partnership aligns with the environmental sustainability vision of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, aimed at restoring the state’s Garden City status through modern infrastructure and cleaner urban management.
