Mataniko River Clean-Up Campaign conducted
A major clean-up campaign was conducted at the Mataniko River in Honiara today.
The clean-up campaign was initiated by Youth Volunteers, in collaboration with the Honiara City Council (HCC), the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology and partners.
Hundreds of volunteers turned up in numbers to participate in this milestone initiative.
Speaking to SIBC News, HCC Deputy Director Waste Management Division, Abednigo Mae’ohu said it was moving to see people turning up to take part in the clean-up campaign.
” We have volunteers from church and community groups, NGOs’, and even people from other countries residing here who turned up in today’s clean-up which is touching and moving.
We have ensured that volunteers are provided with Personal protective equipment’s so that they are protected while doing their clean-up.”
Mr. Mae’ohu also applauded the collaborative effort which led to the successful implementation of the campaign.
” I think what we saw here today is an example of what we can achieve as a country when we work together. This is just the first major clean up that is conducted collaboratively, so we see that more can be done in the future.”
” We live in this city, we’ve benefited from services provided in this city so it is important that we also take responsibility for the waste that we produce in this city,” he said.
Volunteers picking up rubbish at the Mataniko river.
The clean-up campaign was conducted in three zones from the upper Tuvaruhu to the Mataniko River mouth.
Plastic waste, empty butane gas bottles and mats of water spinach were removed from the river.
Youth Volunteer, Agnes Iro said she was happy with the turnout. However, she hopes more can be done to properly remove waste from the river.
” I was surprised to see the huge number of people coming today so that was a success. But I think the rubbish that we have here still outnumbered us.
But that did not stop us from doing what we can so did as much as we could.”
She also encourages the general public to involve in future clean-up campaigns.
” I think it starts with us taking ownership of our city and where we live so I hope next time others can make the time to be here and engage in this kind of activities.
” This requires us to change our mindset about proper waste management and also to not rely on authorities. The initiative should start with us.”
ENDS//