DO you notice that Honiara City gets dirtier every year?
The ever-growing and widening potholes which turn into “lakes” overtime on our roads simply amplify the ugly image of our city.
So whose responsibility is it to keep our city clean all year round? Is it the Honiara City Council? Is it the national government? Whose responsibility is it?
We say it is everyone’s responsibility – men, women, boys, and girls. Why you may ask? We all live here. And we want to be proud of our City. Honiara has all the hallmarks of being a clean City. We can do it.
There is a part that the two tiers of governments in the City – The national government and the Honiara City Council – can do.
One day each year ought to be designated HONIARA CITY CLEAN UP Day. This is when everyone – women, men, boys, and girls – should stop whatever their vocations are to help clean up Honiara City.
We need to instill in ourselves and our children a sense of ownership, responsibility, and pride we have in our City. We need to create a caring attitude for our environment. Cleanliness is next to Godliness, it is said. It does not hurt to start practising such an ideal.
Australia sets aside one day in a year where everyone helps clean up Australia.
The Solomon Islands Ports Authority compound at Point Cruz is an ideal model in terms of cleanliness to emulate. It’s been a total transformation in terms of environmental cleanliness, image-building, and a sense of pride for those who work there.
Solomon Ports’ model and sense of cleanliness and responsibility should be used to transform our City. The Board chairman, the Chief Executive Officer, Eranda Kotelawala, and his team of hardworking Solomon Islanders deserve our congratulations for transforming what was once a dull environment into the most beautiful scenery and safe area in the entire City.
Perhaps the Government ought to engage a Honiara Clean-Up Campaigner manager to start the campaign in preparation for the 2023 Games.
