THE first ever major clean-up of Honiara as part of the “Safe and Green Games SOLPG23” in preparation for the city’s hosting of the premier regional sporting event later this year was successfully carried out from Henderson to White River, Saturday.
The “Safe and Green Games SOLPG23” campaign was launched by Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare at the Lawson Taman Stadium.
The major cleanup was led by the Honiara City Council (HCC), Government Ministries, HCC wards, Churches, State Owned Enterprises (SOEs), the Private Sector, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Non-Government Organisations (NGOs), Churches and schools.
Government employees joined forces with employees of SOEs, the private sector, CSOs, NGOs, Churches, Schools and residents from the various wards of Honiara to clean up along the Honiara Highway according to their allocated zones.
With the allocation of zones, each group concentrated on cleaning up their respective zones from 6am to 12 noon.
Speaking to Solomon Star in an interview during the major cleanup, a representative from the HCC Mataniko Ward, Patrick Sulu said such campaign is an effective way to keeping Honiara city clean and it requires the participation and cooperation of HCC Ward Committees and all residents of Honiara.
“From my point of view, I think this kind of campaign is the only way forward to keep Honiara city clean and it needs the participation and close cooperation of every Honiara resident. People in the city must work with their respective HCC Ward Committees, HCC Administration, Government Ministries and all relevant stakeholders to ensure we keep Honiara clean not only for the Pacific Games but every day,” Mr Sulu said.
Mr Sulu appealed to all his fellow Mataniko Ward residents to participate in the major clean-up campaign, adding that the cleanliness and beauty of Honiara lies in the hands of all its residence.
Solomon Star understands that the National government and its stakeholders are putting all their efforts together so that Honiara is safe, secured and beautiful to host PG2023.
This calls on Honiara residents to take pride and ownership in cleaning and beautifying the city and through unity and determination to overcome all odds, Honiara can restore its fame as a beautiful capital in the Pacific.
By FLOYD TERRY
Solomon Star, Honiara
