A cleaning and greening programme has been launched by the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality in an effort to curb illegal dumping in the metro.
This programme forms part of the ongoing War on Waste cleaning campaign and highlights the improvement of living conditions in various communities.
The Nelson Mandela Bay Executive Mayor, Mongameli Bobani, together with Mayoral Committee Member for Public Health, Yolisa Pali, launched the programme in Ward 40 in Kuyga on Monday.
The programme includes different approaches such as the clearing of illegal dumping sites, planting of trees, creation of playing parks, litter picking, policing and enforcement of by-laws.
“The plea by Nelson Mandela Bay residents and businesses for the municipality to clean the city, has not fallen on deaf ears.
“We are launching this programme to make sure that residents live in a healthy environment,” Pali said.
The ongoing programme will educate residents by having regular workshops in areas where illegal dumping is a concern.
“We have to educate residents on what is right and wrong. Tomorrow they will start dumping again because that’s normal for them. We have to teach them that there are alternative solutions. Plans are in the pipeline to cluster our wards for these workshops,” Pali commented.
According to Pali, the appointment of additional rangers will ensure that areas remain clean and by-laws will be enforced.
Pali added, “We have appointed more rangers to make sure that our metro will be safe and clean.
“They have the right to enforce by-laws and will do so from now on.”
Although the campaign was officially launched last year, the lack of funds have put a halt on the campaign moving to surrounding areas.
“The programme is very costly and we will have to approach other departments to assist. However, we will make a success of this programme,” Pali said.
Bobani applauded the metro’s Department of Public Health for its efforts to ensure a clean environment for residents.
“Children should live in healthy conditions and we are striving to deliver services to all residents in the metro,” Bobani said.
Pali has urged all residents to report cases of illegal dumping to the authorities, as by-laws will be implemented across the Nelson Mandela Metro.
