Chief Dumo Lulu Briggs has unveiled plans to mobilise 319,000 environmental marshals across Rivers State as part of a proposed statewide initiative to strengthen environmental protection, promote climate resilience and expand access to green livelihood opportunities.

The proposal, known as RESET2Green Rivers and powered by the FREE2RESET Initiative, was announced during activities marking World Sustainability Day 2026. It aims to encourage grassroots participation in environmental sustainability while connecting residents with skills development, green businesses and employment opportunities.

Speaking on the initiative, Lulu Briggs said communities would play a central role in addressing environmental challenges and adopting sustainable practices across homes, schools, markets, farms, waterways and public spaces.

Operating under the theme, “Greener Wards. Stronger Communities. A Sustainable Rivers State,” the campaign seeks to translate environmental awareness into practical community action while creating opportunities for residents to participate in emerging green economic activities.

“A sustainable Rivers State begins with people who have the knowledge, opportunity and support to improve the places where they live and work.

“I am calling for the mobilisation of 319,000 RESET2Green Marshals across our 319 wards to turn environmental awareness into practical community action. Through RESET2Green Rivers, powered by the FREE2RESET Initiative, we can connect cleaner neighbourhoods, healthier ecosystems and green livelihood opportunities with the everyday aspirations of Rivers people,” he said.

The proposed recruitment target translates to an average of 1,000 environmental marshals in each of the state’s 319 wards, covering its 23 local government areas.

The proposed network would support communities in identifying environmental concerns, organising local sustainability activities and establishing connections with relevant institutions, technical experts and development partners.

RESET2Green Rivers outlines 13 intervention areas covering different aspects of environmental sustainability and the green economy. These include ecomobility, environmental education and advocacy, green building infrastructure, clean energy, clean cooking, ecosystem conservation and climate-smart agriculture.

The remaining areas are green technology hubs, circular economy, ecotourism, green impact investment, green jobs and green smart data infrastructure.

Under the green jobs component, the initiative intends to link interested residents with relevant skills training, apprenticeship opportunities, enterprise support and employment opportunities. Access to these opportunities will depend on available programmes and labour-market demand.

Its climate-smart agriculture programme is expected to provide training in soil management, water conservation, agroforestry and resilient farming methods. Meanwhile, the ecosystem conservation component will encourage communities to take responsibility for protecting mangroves, wetlands, waterways and other natural resources.

The circular economy intervention will promote waste reduction, sorting, reuse, recycling, repair and composting. The approach is intended to encourage responsible waste management while opening up opportunities for businesses engaged in resource recovery.

For clean energy and clean cooking, the initiative will focus on educating households and businesses about energy efficiency, suitable renewable energy options and cleaner cooking technologies. It also intends to connect prospective users with credible technical providers.

The proposed green technology hubs will provide opportunities for young people, artisans and entrepreneurs to access practical training, innovation support and resources to develop solutions to environmental problems within their communities.

Lulu Briggs also called on community associations, educational institutions, youth and women’s groups, organisations of persons with disabilities, businesses and development partners to contribute technical expertise, training, services and resources towards the initiative.

According to the proposed implementation framework, activities will begin with community consultations, participant registration and training, followed by the preparation of action plans developed and agreed upon at the local level.

The organisers also intend to introduce a reporting framework to ensure transparency and accountability in measuring progress. The framework will separately document registered participants and active marshals, completed activities and measurable environmental outcomes, as well as resources pledged and those actually received.

However, the proposed target of 319,000 marshals remains a mobilisation ambition. Registration, training, active participation and independently verified results are expected to be reported as separate measures. The organisers also clarified that enrolling as a marshal would not automatically guarantee paid employment.

RESET2Green Rivers, powered by the FREE2RESET Initiative, is designed to advance environmental restoration, climate resilience, sustainability education and green livelihoods through community participation, practical interventions and technical partnerships.

SOURCE: The Guardian