GIZO Town Council (GTC) through its Waste Management Division was given a boost to address solid wastes at the Western provincial capital following the handing over of a new backhoe today.
In celebrating the arrival of the new machine, a brief unveiling ceremony was organised after lunch this afternoon near the Western Provincial office headquarter.
The occasion was witnessed by Western Provincial Finance Minister Ron Ghemu, Western Provincial Secretary Patrick Toiraena, Deputy Provincial Secretary Collin Potakana, Karl Kuper Deputy Secretary the Minister of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology, GTC Clerk Charles Kelly, provincial staff, heads of department, waste management divison officers and members of the public.
The ceremony commenced with a dedication prayer by a representative from the Church of Anglican (COM) to the bless the backhoe before it commences work.
This was followed by an official ribbon cutting to formally unveiled the machine before the keys were formally handed over by Mr Kuper to GTC Clerk.
Few moments of happy cheers were declared before speeches followed.
Karl Kuper, Deputy Secretary the Minister of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology in his official remarks said, the new machine will help to address the solid waste management challenge in Gizo.
Kuper who is a representative from the South Pacific Regional Environment Program (SPREP) SWAP Project said, the backhoe was approved because of the critical challenge to improve landfill operation in Gizo.
He said, the machine costs around USD$77, 368.44 (SBD$650k) and was made possible under a project funded by Agence Francaise de Development (AFD).
Western Provincial Secretary Toiraena speaking on behalf of the Premier said; “we have heard a lot about the procurement of this equipment with the assistance from SPREP through the Sustainable Waste Action in the Pacific Project, under its landfill and climate resilience component.
“As you would know, GTC has been having a lot of issue, including a lot of public backlash over the effective management of the current Gizo landfill site.
“At times the waste would spill onto the main road creating issues for our traffic, and not to mention the bad smell and the health hazard created by the waste,” he said.
And for that he also thanked the SPREP for recognising the need to fund the equipment.
GTC Clerk Mr Clerk has expressed thanks to SPREP for facilitating the support.
He said, its been a long wait for over two years now.
“And we are excited to finally receive this equipment,” he said.
He added, this machine will go a long way to address landfill issue in Gizo.
“All I can say is thank you very much for the support,” he said.
He also promised to ensure the machine is well kept and maintained.
He also thanked the Western Provincial Government (WPG) for their support in purchasing a new excavator early this year.
The backhoe now adds to the second equipment owned by the Gizo Town Council.
Following the handing over, guests watched as the assigned driver made a demonstration of how the backhoe operates.
The backhoe was procured from Australia.
It’s the first time for the waste management division to own such an important equipment, a representative from the division said.
- MOFFAT MAMU
