Mariyam Nazima, Member of the Male' City Council for the Galolhu West Constituency and Chair of the Environment Committee has assured that the Council is implementing a number of key measures aimed at protecting the environment.
At the 58th sitting of the Male' City Council, Member Nazima briefed her colleagues on the progress of ongoing programmes and timeline for upcoming initiatives by the Environment Committee.
She delved into details on the ongoing programmes to raise public awareness on the dangers of platic waste and regular efforts to clean the city's reefs.
Last year, the City Council held a logo competition opened to the city's schools to raise awareness on single-use plastics. The Council had also entered into an MoU with Parley Maldives aimed at recycling waste. The efforts are focused on tackling the rise in ocean plastics and to promote safe waste disposal practices.
Council Member Mariyam Nazima said that the winning logos would be used in related programmes run by the Council. She said that the programmes would involve both the Environment Ministry and the Environment Protection Agency as stakeholders.
"Our collaboration with Parley Maldives has been a major success. We have installed custom waste collection nets in key locations in the city. The nets are designed to signify the basketball hoop. The programme has been very successful."
Nazima said that the Committee was currently focused on placing bins in artificial beach to collect plastic waste. She added that work was also underway on book to raise awareness on the ocean, and that it would subsequently be included in the core reading collection in the schools' curriculum. Furthermore, the Chair of the Environment Committee said that they were having preparatory meetings with the Environment Ministry on some of the upcoming programmes.
At the meeting, Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, Mayor of Male' praised Committee members on their success. He thanked the Chair for her tireless efforts.
Council Member Ibrahim Shujau noted the strong links established between the Male' City Council and environmental NGOs, and pointed out that they had recieved strong and positive feedback on the Environment Committee's efforts.