Bor Municipality mulls ambitious clean-up blitz to improve hygiene

BOR – Authorities in Bor municipality in South Sudan’s Jonglei State are set to launch a comprehensive clean-up campaign aimed at tackling the growing issue of litter and waste accumulation to improve sanitation in the local town.

The initiative, spearheaded by the Bor Municipal Council, could see men and women taking to the streets, armed with cleaning tools and a shared vision for a cleaner, healthier Bor town.

John Makuei Alier, Deputy Director of Public Health at Bor Municipal Council, said that their plan is to make the main market square the epicentre of the activity.

He added that his office is mobilising the resources needed to start the campaign before the rainy season, which commences in mid-May or early June in the state.

“We are working starting this Monday, we are having meetings for the preparations of the clean-up campaign, we know once the rain starts, it will be hard to conduct this clean-up campaign” said Makuei.

“If you look at the former Malek secondary, and the Leudiet fish market are very dirty and these are the major targets for this campaign,” he added.

Makuei called on the residents of Bor municipality to join the government through cleaning the residential areas to prevent disease as the rainy season approaches.

“Our people always need to be told to clean their areas, but Bor is our home,e and if we don’t clean it up, where will we get other people who will come and clean it up for us?” said Makuei.

“The beauty of Bor is not just in its landscape, but in the hands that care for it. Today, we have shown the world that together, we can reclaim our shine, one piece of litter at a time.” He added.

Rebecca Angeth, a vendor working at Bor town’s main Marol market, said the town has been struggling with garbage collection.

“For too long, our town has been struggling with this problem, but today, with the arrangement made by the government, especially the Bor municipality, gives me hope. This is our home, and we need to take care of it,” said Rebecca.

Deng, a student leader from Bor Secondary School, echoed this sentiment, stating: “As young people, we want to grow up in a clean and healthy environment. This campaign shows that we are not just the future leaders, but also the present caretakers of our community.”