Minister Hon. Maurice Lake of Ministry of Public Housing, Environment, Spatial Development and Infrastructure (Ministry VROMI), is planning to introduce a pilot competition for districts as an incentive for residents and Community Councils to do their utmost in keeping their community clean and in order.
The stakeholders to be involved in the pilot competition would be neighborhoods, Non-Governmental Organizations, Community Councils, neighborhood businesses and residents.
Companies can become sponsors of neighborhoods which fall in line with corporate social responsibility. Prizes would be given at the end of the completion which would entail repairs to a community center or sports field or providing supplies for the latter.
The goal of this initiative is challenging communities to get involved in the cleaning up of their neighborhood. The objectives are to stimulate; raise the level of environmental awareness; enhance social responsibility, through active participation; stimulate contact with Ministry VROMI; engaging residents; improving the quality of life; promoting citizen ownership; building cross-generational and cross-social bonds between communities; and developing partnerships.
"As part of the nation building process, you have to have pride in the neighborhood where you live, work and play. As a people we need to do more to keep our districts clean and tidy. As they say, first impressions count.
"Our districts should be seen as an extension of our home and backyard. Tidy up and have pride in where you live. We can do this together, district by district. A clean and tidy neighborhood is a healthy neighborhood," Minster Hon. Maurice Lake said on Tuesday.