THE community of Kaibia on Friday last week received tools worth over $52,000 from the Ministry of Environment Climate Change Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECCDMM).
A statement from deputy director environment Debra Kereseka on Tuesday said the donation was made from the Environment and Conservation Division (ECD) 2021 Development Budget of the MECCDMM to support Kaibia’s waste management initiative.
Ms Kereseka said the tools should have been procured and handed over last year but was delayed primarily due to COVID-19 and the November riots in Honiara.
Despite this delay, she said she is happy that the community has now finally received the tools.
The set of tools are worth $52,065 and consist of a small generator, three grass cutters, gum boots, hand gloves, and wheel barrows to name a few.
The small assistance is part of the government’s approach through the ECD to support community solid waste management initiatives, promote waste management and protect the environment in the country.
“As we all know waste management is everybody’s business.
“The benefits of cleaning up your surrounding will always come back to you and so we look forward to working with you to promote waste management within your community,” Ms Kereseka told a small gathering at Kaibia on Friday.
She said the assistance is an act of recognition for communities who have taken the initiative to take the lead to do clean ups of their surroundings.
Responding to Ms Kereseka’s remarks a community representative said that Kaibia community is really grateful for the assistance.
He said due to the state of the road and lack of proper drainage, waste is a real problem for them whenever it rains.
“I assure you that our community will make good use of the tools you donated in our effort to control and manage our waste properly.
“We also ensure you that the community will take good care of tools and we thank you for listening to our request.
“The handing over of the tools is another step towards managing waste deposits within our surroundings,” the community rep said.
Kaibia community consists of 300 households with a total population of about 1,200 people from throughout the country.
