Gizo, the Western Provincial capital is dubbed one of the ‘top’ tourist destinations in Solomon Islands.
However, its currently faced with a growing threat from poor management of solid wastes more especially plastics generated from homes and shops.
Gizo town is located on an island is the main urban centre for the surrounding islands.
Its where most of business and trading activities are happening.
There are no major factories in Gizo. However, it hosts many homes and shops.
From these homes and shops many imported products like food packages, plastic bottles, canned food and cooking appliances found their way to Gizo.
Most times these wastes ended up in creeks, streams, bushes and sadly the ocean.
The challenge from its growing population is contributing so much to the increasing rate of solid waste disposal each day.
Recognising this challenge, the ‘Sustainable Waste Actions in the Pacific’ (SWAP) Project funded by the Agence Franaise de Development (AFD) has stepped in to support Gizo this month.
The SWAP project is worth $3million Euros and covers six countries in the Pacific region.
In Solomon Islands, Gizo and Tulagi are beneficiaries of the project.
Karl Kuper Deputy Secretary Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster and Meteorology (MECDM) when speaking at the official handing over of a new backhoe loader on Friday, 15th November 2024 said, Gizo is fortunate to be part of the SWAP Project.
Its because it would benefit from two key components: the ‘Marine Litter Pilot Project’ and the ‘Disaster Waste Management initiative.’
Mr Kuper explained, the Marine Litter Pilot Project involves data collection on marine debris that ends up on Gizo’s beaches, while the Disaster Waste Management Initiative focuses on strengthening waste management in the aftermath of disaster events.
Under the Waste Management initiative, a critical objective has been established to improve landfill operations during disaster events, ensuring that waste is properly managed and disposed of the wake of a disaster.
“As part of this objective, a scoping study for Landfill Rehabilitation and/or Climate Proofing in the Solomon Islands was undertaken in April 2023.
“This study, carried out by an expert consultant, identified the needs of supporting landfill operations in both Gizo and Tulagi.
“Based on the study’s findings, it was agreed that given the limited budget allocated for this component under the SWAP Project, a backhoe loader and spare-parts would be procured to assist with the management of the Gizo waste disposal site.
“The backhoe loader which is critical for improving landfill operations was successfully procured at a total cost of USD77, 368.44, which included the loader, spare parts and necessary training for local personnel on the proper care and maintenance of the equipment,” he said.
He said, the support provided under Phase 1 of SWAP has been instrumental and the ministry was pleased to confirm that Solomon Islands will continue to benefit from Phase 2 of the project in 2025.
This will ensure that continued strengthening of waste management systems in Solomon Islands and across the Pacific.
The SWAP Project vital aim is to improve sanitation, environmental, social and economic conditions across Pacific Island countries and territories, with a particular focus on proper waste management practises.
Through the SWAP Project, MECDM aims to strengthen the capacity of local communities and authorities in technical waste management, institutional governance and sustainable financing mechanisms.
The project was specifically target, three waste streams, used oil, marine debris and disaster related wastes.
Since its inception in 2021, the SWAP Project has benefited six countries and territories across the Pacific, including the Solomon Islands, Mr Kuper said.
He also took the time to acknowledge the leadership and support of the Premier and Executive of Western Provincial Government (WPG).
WPG’s commitment to environmental initiatives has been a driving force in making the province a model for environmental best practises in the Solomon Islands, he added.
The collaboration between the provincial government, local authorities such as Gizo Town Council and the national government is key to the success of these environmental programs and waste management, he added.
He expressed gratitude to Agence Francaise de Development for their continued support and SPREP for their tireless efforts in coordinating and implementing this important project.
He highlighted that such collaborations between the local town councils, provincial governments and the national government is important towards building a more sustainable and resilient future for the Western Province and for the rest of Solomon Islands.
Western Province Provincial Secretary Patrick Toiraena said, for years the Western Provincial Government (WPG) and Gizo Town Council (GTC) have been handicapped in terms of having right resources and equipment at their disposal to effectively deal with solid wastes and the landfill sites in Gizo.
“Over the years we have been heavily reliant on some of good stakeholders to help WPG and GTC clear the landfill located at the District Area, west of Gizo town.”
He said, the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) assisted previously in 2014 and 2015 with procurement of a tractor with a bucket that can be attached or detached when required but GTC had a lot of issues with regular tyre punctures from sharp objects within the landfill.
“It is due to these issues that GTC approached SPREP seeking their assistance to procure a backhoe for the council,” he said.
As a matter of fact, WPG too under its capital project has procured an excavator which is now being used at the landfill.
So, this backhoe will be another additional resource that will be used at the site.
In addition, with the proposed Asian Development Bank (ADB) funded landfill project at Mile 4&Mile 5, these new machines will be very important in ensuring WPG can be able to manage the landfill site over the long haul.
Mr Toiraena said, a lot of developments are taking place and there are plans for even bigger initiatives.
“As we all know the climate change, resilience’s and environmental components has become a key consideration of such developments, therefore our call for capacitating our environmental division is becoming very critical.”
He said, addressing the solid waste challenge in Gizo and the surrounding areas is everyone responsible.
Gizo Town Clerk Charles Kelly at the handing over ceremony said, addressing solid waste management has been a challenge for Gizo town over the past years.
He said, it’s a complicated issue because of the attitude by the people plus lack of resources to address waste management.
Mr Kelly a former Honiara City Council Clerk said, having machineries is a step forward in addressing the problem.
He said, with the delivery of a backhoe acquired through the SWAP project it will help to address the situation.
He also acknowledged the Western Province Government for procuring an excavator earlier this year which had helped to clear off the huge piles of rubbish at the dumpsite.
He said, solid waste especially from plastic products have been a challenge for the town for years.
“Plastics made up most of the rubbish generated from within the town,” he said.
He said, GTC had been handicapped with limited resources to ensure there is timely disposal of wastes from around the town and residents.
“And its important that proper disposal are done to these waste products,” he added.
Mr Kelly said, as an island, residents and public must be responsible in the way they dispose their wastes and rubbish.
He added it’s a challenge when residents disposed their garbage mostly plastics and tins into the ocean, streams and nearby bushes.
He said, the town council has been trying its best to address the situation by placing drums at the designated areas within the township so that the public can also dispose their rubbish at the right place.
As part of ensuring that wastes are properly disposed at the right place, GTC has advised all businesses in Gizo especially shops to be responsible for their wastes.
Because of this, many shops have compiled by collecting their own trash and dumping them at the landfill site.
Mr Kelly said, this is a move in a right direction to ensure Gizo remains clean at all times.
“We want to main Gizo as a tourism destination therefore its important for everyone to be responsible with their wastes,” he concluded.
Mr Kelly his team won’t give up their fight in ensuring Gizo remains clean at all time.
By MOFFAT MAMU
Solomon Star, Gizo
