Submit your papers Submit Now
International Peer-Reviewed Journal
For Enquiries: editor@iiardjournals.org
📄 Download Paper

Communication Techniques of Rivers State Waste Management Agency (Riwama) in Environmental Campaigns within Port Harcourt

Ekereokosu, Boboyelayefa David, Richard N. Amadi and Christopher Justice Njoku

Abstract

This study examined the communication techniques of the Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA) in promoting environmental awareness and behavioral change among residents of Port Harcourt. Anchored on Development Media Theory and Diffusion of Innovation Theory, it explored how communication drives community participation in waste management. The study adopted a mixed-method design, combining a survey of 384 residents with in-depth interviews involving four RIWAMA officials. Data were analyzed using simple percentages, Weighted Mean Scores, and Constant Comparative Technique (CCT). Findings revealed that RIWAMA’s communication techniques are moderately effective but lack adequate clarity and audience segmentation. Awareness levels are relatively high yet uneven across communities, with weak behavioral compliance. Radio and television remain dominant channels, while interpersonal and social media outreach are underutilized. Residents’ responses to campaigns are positive but short- lived, and campaign frequency is inconsistent. The study recommends enhanced audience targeting, participatory communication, and consistent community engagement to ensure sustained environmental responsibility and effective waste management.

Keywords

Environmental communication waste management behavioral change Port Harcourt RIWAMA public campaigns

References

Adler, R. B., Proctor, R. F., & Towne, N. (2005). Looking out looking in (11th ed.). Wadsworth. Adogu, P., Uwakwe, K., Egenti, N. B., Okwuoha, A. P., & Nkwocha, I. B. (2015). Assessment of waste management practices among residents of Owerri Municipal, Imo State, Nigeria. Journal of Environmental Protection, 6(5), 446-456. Awosusi, A. O., & Akindutire, I. O. (2016). Environmental education and public awareness on solid waste management in Nigeria. Journal of Environmental Education Research, 12(3), 45-58. Baran, S. J., & Davis, D. K. (2007). Mass communication theory: Foundations, ferment and future. Thomson Wadsworth. Cunningham, W. P., & Cunningham, M. A. (2008). Environmental science: A global concern. McGraw-Hill. David, B. G. (2015). Assessment of solid waste disposal pattern of sellers in Mile One Market, Port Harcourt City Rivers State [Unpublished master's thesis]. University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Davidson, G. (2011). Waste management practices: Literature review. Dalhousie University Office of Sustainability, 4, 61-70. Elenwo, E. I. (2015). Solid waste management practices in Port Harcourt: Problems and prospects. Journal of Geographic Thought & Environmental Studies, 13(1), 60-81. Ekine, A., Hart, A., & Nwaubani, E. (2018). Environmental refuse disposal management policies on municipal solid waste in Port Harcourt. International Journal of Environment and Waste Management, 22(3-4), 234-251. Kibe, C. W. (2014). Effects of communication strategies on organizational performance: A case study of Kenya Ports Authority. European Journal of Business and Management, 6(11), 71-92. Krejcie, R. V., & Morgan, D. W. (1970). Determining sample size for research activities. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 30(3), 607-610. MacBride, S. (1980). Many voices one world. UNESCO. Majumder, S. C., & Karim, M. R. (2012). Urban solid waste management: Study on Comilla City Corporation. Journal of Economics and Sustainable Development, 3(6), 90-117. Makwara, E. C., & Magudu, S. (2013). The impact of waste disposal on environmental degradation in Gweru City, Zimbabwe. Journal of Emerging Trends in Educational Research and Policy Studies, 4(1), 39-49. McGuire, W. J. (1989). Theoretical foundations of campaigns. In R. E. Rice & C. K. Atkin (Eds.), Public communication campaigns (2nd ed., pp. 43-65). Sage. McQuail, D. (1987). Mass communication theory: An . Sage. McQuail, D. (2010). McQuail's mass communication theory (6th ed.). Sage. Nsereka, B. G., & Amannah, P. I. (2014). An evaluative study of the freedom of information act and media practice in Nigeria. Review of Communication and Media Studies, 2(1), 110- Nwachukwu, F. G., & Agbo, B. O. (2014). Winning minds: A guide to persuasion in marketing communication. University of Port Harcourt Press. Obuah, P. F., & Okon, G. B. (2017). Environmental communication strategies of the Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA): Implications for sustainable waste management in Nigeria. International Journal of Development and Sustainability, 6(11), 1541-1558. Ochonogo, I. C., & Innocent, K. H. (2015). Communication for development in Nigeria. Pearl Publishers. Okoro, N., & Ogboeli, C. C. (2025). Evaluation of waste management practices of Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA). Environmental Management Review, 18(1), 34- Omoshue, O. J. (2009). Communication strategies in mobilizing urban citizens for waste management in Calabar and Asaba [Unpublished doctoral seminar paper]. University of Port Harcourt. Patrick, A. I., & Okoro, F. (2014). Adopting broadcast media sensitization campaigns for solid waste management. Journal of Marketing and Consumer Research, 1, 78-89. Rivers State Waste Management Agency. (2019). Annual report. RIWAMA. Rogers, E. M. (2003). Diffusion of innovations (5th ed.). Free Press. Rogers, E. M., & Shoemaker, F. F. (1971). Communication of innovations. Free Press. Vanguard. (2017, August 12). Nigeria generates 24 million tonnes of waste annually. Vanguard Newspaper. © 2025 Rivers State University. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.