Tackling the waste problem

THE management of waste soil and waste channelled to the Sungai Paku Landfill is set to end by 2030. Thus, efforts are being implemented to employ the latest, innovative methods, particularly for the Brunei River.

This was said by Permanent Secretary (Planning, Land Use and Environment) at the Ministry of Development Dr Nor Imtihan Abdul Razak at a press conference on the Minor Offences Act by the Brunei Darussalam Hygiene Issues Steering Committee.

However, the government faces the continued challenge of indiscriminate dumping by irresponsible individuals.

As a result, roads, open and hidden sites, coastal areas and drains have become dumping grounds.

Dr Nor Imtihan said the Sultanate generated 285,771.35 metric tonnes of solid waste in 2021, a 6,891.63 metric tonne increase from the previous year, with most of it ending up in landfills.

According to Asean Statistics in 2017, Brunei was the second highest country in solid waste generation, with 1.4kg per capita per day.

As such, the Brunei Darussalam Hygiene Issues Steering Committee aims to provide policy direction and strategy for the implementation of actions towards cleanliness for public spaces, including commercial premises, corporate and agricultural areas; private residences such as residential areas; and environments surrounded by rivers.

“Ways to address these challenges are to implement strategic planning in the use of allocations, continue the activities of the Hygiene Issues Steering Committee, increase environmental awareness activities and monitor activities as well as public cooperation,” said Dr Nor Imtihan.

She shared some of the challenges faced by the committee such as the postponement of cleaning campaigns in the wake of the Covid-19 outbreak, a lack of public awareness on importance of cleanliness, and insufficient staff and human resources to monitor waste disposal activities in places not reserved for dumping. — Borneo Bulletin/ANN