Dept to spend R450k on clean-up campaign

THE NORTHERN Cape Department of Environment, Nature and Conservation will spend R450 000 in the 2016/17 financial year on a programme aimed at cleaning and beautifying towns in the Province.

The MEC for the department, Tiny Chotelo, launched the programme in Nieuwoudtville in the Namaqua District yesterday.

“For the 2016/17 financial year the department will have seven clean-up projects that will employ 140 people under EPWP (Expanded Public Works Programme) principles.

“This will have an economic benefit because these people will benefit financially. A total budget of R450 000 is set aside for this and we hope to see a tangible impact in our communities.

“Protecting the environment also protects humanity,” said Chotelo.

She added that the department would act harshly against officials who failed to do their work and which resulted in the contamination of the environment.

“Sometimes the government at municipal level fails the entire community. People responsible for waste removal do not do their work properly and those who must manage and maintain sewer pipes are either lazy or do not care. For instance, a raw waste pipe was broken in Platfontein near Kimberley for days.

“This resulted in unbearable stench that pupils and teachers at a nearby school had to endure every day. Donkeys and cattle are grazing on the parks that are made for communities to relax and unwind.

“Clearly those who should manage parks are not doing their job.

Unacceptable

“This is unacceptable and must be dealt with. In future, when something like this happens, I will make sure that responsible municipalities are made to pay. We will issue them with compliance notices and hefty fines for environmental crimes.”

She urged the community not to pollute the environment.

“All of us need to change our attitudes towards nature because we all know that we should not litter. However, we keep on throwing stuff on the ground, even though there is often a rubbish bin a few metres away. Instead, we make the excuse that we are creating jobs for cleaners.”

Chotelo added that if jobs needed to be created through garbage, a better option would be to consider recycling.

“Recycling is the process whereby materials are reused in order to make or manufacture new products.

“Therefore, instead of dumping material into a landfill site where it will simply sit in the ground, we should recycle.

“It is important to protect the environment because man-made disruptions to ecosystems can cause extinction, while pollution also creates dangers for both animals and people.”

She advised those appointed in the project to lead by example.

“You cannot be working on the clean-up project from 8am until 5pm only for you to continue with your old habits of contaminating the environment when you get home.

“You need to be the change we want to see in our communities and have to continue with that trend long after this project has ended. “You must not do it for money but rather to protect the environment,” Chotelo said.