As Rivers State joins the rest of the world this Saturday to mark this year’s International Day for Preservation of the Ozone Layer, a call has gone to residents in the state to protect their environment by planting trees and flowers in their surroundings.

The Sole Administrator of the Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA), Bro. Felix Obuah, wmade the call in his goodwill message to the people of the state to mark the United Nations annual event. He said the planting of trees is necessary to safeguard the environment from erosion.

He said it was for this reason that trees should be planted not just for beautification of the environment but also to help to protect the ozone layer which adds to preserve the earth.

Obuah stated that the theme of this year’s celebration, ‘Caring For All Life Under The Sun’ was very apt as it supports RIWAMA’s massive crusade to preserve the environment by keeping the state safe, clean and healthy.

“As we tirelessly work on the mandate to return the state to its Garden City status, we shall not relent in our zero tolerance for indiscriminate waste disposal, and preservation of our environment.We must go beyond bagging the waste properly and disposing them accordingly, and complement it with tree planting,” Obuah declared.

While restating that cleanliness is next to Godliness, the RIWAMA boss said the state Governor, NyesomWike has invested huge resources to ensure the cleanliness of the state, urging residents to complement these efforts and abide by the sanitation laws to preserve the environment.

He further congratulated the government and people of the state as they observe the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, adding that with concerted efforts by residents, the environment will be safer and healthier for all.