Under the theme, “Keep The Bahamas Clean, Green and Pristine…It Starts With You”, the Department of Environmental Health is seeking to educate the public about the benefits of having a clean environment. During the Ministry of Health’s Public Awareness Programme held at First Baptist Church, Parliamentary Secretary Ron Pinder said that all sectors of the community must play a role in the sustainable development through protection of the environment and the protection of the health of Bahamians.
“We must renew our minds. We must renew and adopt a sense of personal ownership and responsibility because in the final analysis, the notions of sustainable development through the protection of our environment is both meaningless and impossible without fundamental change in and among all who live and work in our many islands,” he said.
Mr. Pinder said that The Bahamas is provided with a unique challenge and excellent opportunity to focus attention on the benefits of a clean environment, the traditional and modern hazards to the environment and the means by which these threats may be averted.
He encouraged Bahamians to reaffirm their commitment to maintaining and enhancing the environment to secure the enjoyment by the future generation of Bahamians.
Bringing the keynote address, Minister of Health, Senator Dr. Marcus Bethel said that the Bahamas Government, through the Department of Public Health cannot continue to be the primary agency responsible for keeping neighbourhoods clean, and provide all the financial resources required to achieve this goal.
A safe and clean environment, he said, are the basic requirements for human health.
“It is our collective responsibility to ensure that the youth of our country and the residents of inner city communities, through education, must make the linkage between a clean environment and a healthy nation,” said Dr. Bethel
He gave an overview of the efforts of the staff of The Department of Environmental Health, highlighting their achievements to address this issue.
They have removed derelict vehicles from inner city streets, he said, noting regrettably, however, that as soon as one is removed, it is replaced by another one.
The department has also completed the New Providence Sanitary Landfill, which enhances the proper disposal of garbage in New Providence. Landfills have also been completed in Bimini, North Eleuthera and San Salvador, Dr Bethel said.
He advised that North Andros, the Abaco Cays, east and west Grand Bahama, Long Island and Cat Island will also receive sanitary landfills in the not too distant future.
Vector Control Services have also been improved, which has resulted in a decrease incidence rate of vector borne diseases such as Malaria and Dengue Fever.
An Environmental Health Court was also established which resulted in the swift prosecution of environmental offenders.
The Ministry, he said, also adopted a small residential area encompassing Nassau, South and Augusta Streets.
An Attitudinal Survey was conducted to find out the residents’ opinions about the state of their environment, and obtain suggestions for improvement.
“The residents were encouraged, not only to clean, but to beautify their surroundings by planting local trees, shrubs, and food plants. The response from them was very encouraging and we are committed to working with them to ensure that the entire neighborhood is clean, green and pristine,” Dr. Bethel said.
He also commended the efforts of the Bahamas National Pride Association, and Love 97 radio station for their initiatives in encouraging Bahamians to take care of their environment.
“I call upon families, and schools to be protagonists for the environment. I call upon churches and other social institutions to be leaders in our national efforts. I call upon governmental agencies, the private sector and citizens of our great Commonwealth, to embrace this opportunity to promote behaviour, attitudes and values which will keep our country clean, green and pristine,” Dr. Bethel said.
Delivering the sermon was Rev. Earl Francis, pastor of the First Baptist Church who said that people need to get cleaned up internally, and that would be a great start for them to start cleaning up on the outsides.
After all he said, “Cleanliness is next to Godliness.”
By Vanessa C. Rolle, The Nassau Guardian
