The Rivers State Government has suspended the monthly sanitation exercise in the state.
The announcement was made on Thursday by the Chairman of the Rivers State Waste Management Agency, RIWAMA, Samuel Wanosike.
Wanosike spoke to journalists after a meeting between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the management team of RIWAMA at the Government House, Port Harcourt.
He explained that the suspension would enable the agency to build more capacity and explore better strategies for achieving a cleaner Rivers State.
The RIWAMA boss also emphasised the governor’s commitment to supporting the agency in addressing its challenges and ensuring effective waste management, particularly in Port Harcourt and other parts of the state.
The monthly sanitation, which was reintroduced in September 2025, drew widespread criticism as the agency announced a restriction of movement on the affected Saturdays, from 6 am to 10 am.
Several public affairs analysts, legal practitioners and civil society organisations condemned the restriction of movement, arguing that it violated the fundamental rights of the people of the state.
They also cited a 2020 judgment by a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, which ruled that the restriction of movement during sanitation, both vehicular and pedestrian, was illegal and unconstitutional.
