Plasticwise Gizo is a leading local Non-Government Organisation based in Gizo Western Province. The Organisation has gained regional and international recognition in waste management. Its membership statistic has been increasing over the past four years and now working in partnership with two international donors.
The organization yesterday launched a programmed to address the problem of solid waste especially plastic that regularly washes ashore from the sea and is often found on land.
Proud members of Plasticwise Gizo, which includes Gizo based women groups, members of the provincial Government, church representatives and Gizo residence packed the MSG building to witness the launching.
The Guest of Honor was the Under Secretary Technical of the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Meteorology and Disaster Management, Chanel Iroi who flew to Gizo to be part of the important event.
In his speech, Mr.Iroi commended Plasticwise Gizo for taking the lead in community based approaches to dealing with plastics.
He told those present that Plasticwise Gizo was a beacon of hope for positive environmental efforts in the Western Province and in the country as a whole.
“I acknowledge your commitment in the environment sector through waste management initiatives that you have engaged with here in Gizo and Western Province as a whole.
“Your programmes, projects and activities are contributing to the implementation of national policies, plans and strategies to addressing waste management and environmental issues in the country,” Mr.Iroi said.
He said Plasticwise Gizo has been recognized at the regional and international level through their collaborative engagement with some of the projects that the Ministry is partnering such as the Commonwealth Marine Litter Project by CEFAS.
Mr.Iroi said his ministry has engaged Plasticwise Gizo in consultation, data collection and identifying issues and solutions to manage waste in the country through the waste minimization activities such as Reuse and Recycling.
He added that Plasticwise Gizo had been instrumental in sharing experiences and demonstrating waste minimization.
The Provincial Minister for Forestry and Environment, George Stucliffe, also congratulated the founder of Plasticwise Gizo and her members for leading plastic management in Gizo.
He said, the association has proved its capacity through some of its existing initiatives such as turning plastic wastes into useful products.
“Accept my government’s highest accolade over the progress and achievement you have made so far. You have undertaken an overwhelming challenge trying to address the massive onslaught of plastic wastes of all forms and sizes. Plastic waste is a single most destructive curse facing our beautiful God-given land, shorelines, reefs, seas, streams, forests and various habitats.”
Source: Island Sun newspaper.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short
