By Taban Henry
Juba City Council on Saturday started their clean up campaign at Mauna Block 3 residential area under the theme: “keep Juba City clean and green”.
The Juba City cleanup campaign program which was organized by Juba City Council in Collaboration with Juba Rajaf Solid Waste Management Group (JRSWMG) with support from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) was conducted in Munuki, Juba and Kator Block.
Speaking during the launching, Gasim Erasto Ibrahim the Director General in the department of environment and sanitation in the Juba City Council expressed happiness to the citizens of Mauna Block 3 residential area for their cooperation and hard work, “I urge them to continue with the same spirit.”
“I am calling upon all the citizens from the rest of the residential areas to do the same like what the people of Mauna residential area have done, I am telling you not to burn garbage along the areas because it harbors dangerous diseases as well as cause damages to the environment,” he said.
Meanwhile the Chief Representative of Japan International Cooperation Agency, Sagara Fuyuki said that the Juba City cleanup campaign aims at creating awareness of the importance of waste collection and maintaining sanitary environment as well as strengthening cooperation among local government, citizens and business entities in was management.
“Solid waste management is essential for maintaining public health standards, particularly in Juba, waste issue becomes one of the biggest concerns among citizens and business entities caused by increased urbanization and growing population,” he said.
He mentioned that in order to improve the Juba City sanitary environment, effective solid management service provided by local government is necessary which demands cooperation and participation from the local citizens and business entities that initially produce the waste.
“JICA will cooperate with stakeholder’s institutions such as JCC and JRSWMG by starting new technical cooperation projects in order to develop their capacities as reliable service providers,” he added.
For his part, the Mayor of Juba City Council, Michael Ladu Allah-Jabu applauded the efforts taken by the JICA for supporting all the activities in the Republic of South Sudan adding that keeping Juba City clean and green is everyone’s responsibility.
“Keeping the City of the Republic of South Sudan clean and beautiful is our priority so that the image of our city looks like other cities in the world,” he said.
He added that Juba City Council will cooperate with all partners as well as the quarter councils in order to maintain Juba City Clean and green.