Clean-up day set for September
With the great successes achieved last year, as well as a strong focus on waste during the course of the year, Namibia will clean up on 21 September.
Following the success of the nationwide campaign last year, in which more than 250 000 Namibians were involved, the 2019 national clean-up day will take place on 21 September.
This was announced by environment minister Pohamba Shifeta.
During last year's clean-up day in May, 255 416 people were involved in formal events across the country and 489 clean-up operations were recorded.
A total of 245 211 bags of waste were collected, while 134 institutions and individuals contributed cash and in-kind sponsorships.
The clean-up campaign is President Hage Geingob's brainchild.
Speaking on Tuesday evening at the launch of the 2019 event, Shifeta said the 2018 campaign had put in place a firm foundation to begin a new chapter to keep cities, towns, villages and even homes clean.
“We plan to build on this foundation going forward and have taken close note of the recommendations and experiences from last year. These will guide us as we move forward both this year and in the future,” Shifeta said.
He said this year a two-pronged approach is planned.
“We will continue to observe a day in the year when we all come together to rid the country of litter and trash.”
The second part of the campaign will be a sustained awareness and information campaign to change the behaviour and mindset of the entire population, Shifeta said.
“This year, the anti-littering campaign will be spearheaded by the environment and information ministries and we will also be reaching out to a number of partners active in the area of waste management.”
He said the campaign will target all sectors of the population through various communication, education and public awareness initiatives.
“However, we will especially be targeting our young people as the future leaders and as the inheritors of our environment.”
Shifeta said the campaign goes hand-in-hand with broader efforts to improve waste management across the country.
“I am confident the campaign will build on existing initiatives and also generate new ones to further the implementation of the 'reduce, reuse and recycle' principle as outlined in the national waste management strategy.”
Shifeta added he feels the ministry is on the right track towards improving the standard of waste management at disposal sites and said they will continue to intensify efforts to ensure that waste disposal sites are properly located and managed in line with the Environmental Management Act.
He called on all interested partners and sponsors to support the campaign.
“Any contribution, from small to big, from in-kind to cash, is highly appreciated and it will be for a cause that is noble, positive and unifying.”
He said interested sponsors and partners should contact the offices of the respective governors or regional councils. Those interested to be involved or associated with the anti-littering awareness campaign can contact the environment ministry.
ELLANIE SMIT
This was announced by environment minister Pohamba Shifeta.
During last year's clean-up day in May, 255 416 people were involved in formal events across the country and 489 clean-up operations were recorded.
A total of 245 211 bags of waste were collected, while 134 institutions and individuals contributed cash and in-kind sponsorships.
The clean-up campaign is President Hage Geingob's brainchild.
Speaking on Tuesday evening at the launch of the 2019 event, Shifeta said the 2018 campaign had put in place a firm foundation to begin a new chapter to keep cities, towns, villages and even homes clean.
“We plan to build on this foundation going forward and have taken close note of the recommendations and experiences from last year. These will guide us as we move forward both this year and in the future,” Shifeta said.
He said this year a two-pronged approach is planned.
“We will continue to observe a day in the year when we all come together to rid the country of litter and trash.”
The second part of the campaign will be a sustained awareness and information campaign to change the behaviour and mindset of the entire population, Shifeta said.
“This year, the anti-littering campaign will be spearheaded by the environment and information ministries and we will also be reaching out to a number of partners active in the area of waste management.”
He said the campaign will target all sectors of the population through various communication, education and public awareness initiatives.
“However, we will especially be targeting our young people as the future leaders and as the inheritors of our environment.”
Shifeta said the campaign goes hand-in-hand with broader efforts to improve waste management across the country.
“I am confident the campaign will build on existing initiatives and also generate new ones to further the implementation of the 'reduce, reuse and recycle' principle as outlined in the national waste management strategy.”
Shifeta added he feels the ministry is on the right track towards improving the standard of waste management at disposal sites and said they will continue to intensify efforts to ensure that waste disposal sites are properly located and managed in line with the Environmental Management Act.
He called on all interested partners and sponsors to support the campaign.
“Any contribution, from small to big, from in-kind to cash, is highly appreciated and it will be for a cause that is noble, positive and unifying.”
He said interested sponsors and partners should contact the offices of the respective governors or regional councils. Those interested to be involved or associated with the anti-littering awareness campaign can contact the environment ministry.
ELLANIE SMIT
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