LEADERS of communities along Kwaiafa river in Malaita Province’s West Kwara’ae Constituency, have expressed their fury after discovering empty cans of beer dumped into the river after Christmas.
It is believed that the mess was left by outsiders who partied along the river near Buiano village on Christmas eve.
Kwaiafa river is a well-kept river that separates the Central and West kwara’ae constituencies.
A few communities along the river live by upholding the South Seas Evangelical Church-emphasised principles of keeping the home and village environments clean.
A community leader at Gelabu, Fabiano Ngengemani said it is becoming a grave concern for community leaders that some outsiders are disturbing their environment with their activities.
He warned the public that Kwaiafa river is not a rubbish dumping site but a place that communities use for bathing, washing and fishing.
“Our population uses this river for bathing, washing and fishing and diving.”
“This river is a source of water and food for us. It is sad that outsiders have started coming in to destroy our clean environment.
“The public must respect our environment by collecting their rubbish and taking them back with them for proper disposal,” Mr Ngengemani emphasised.
Malaita Province Waste Management officer, Paul Sculf Iro, meanwhile encourages people in the province to properly dispose off their waste.
He said the Christmas and New Year season is not a time for people to disturb the environment by throwing empty cans of beer and other rubbish along the ‘roads, bush and rivers.’
“The public must be reminded to celebrate Christmas and new Year in a clean environment.”
“We should not be careless in the manner we dispose our waste because they cause harm to ourselves and to others,” Mr Iro said.
By SOLOMON LOFANA
Solomon Star, Auki
