Deputy Chief Minister Francis D’Souza on Saturday unveiled the plaque of the foundation stone for the scientific disposal of Solid Waste Management System at Sada, Mormugao.
Others present at the function included Mormugao MLA and Power Minister MIlind Naik, MMC Chief Officer Deepali Naik and some councillors.
“The earlier council had failed to initiate action against the mounting garbage at Headland Sada, due to which it had turned into another Sonsodo. One can convert waste into wealth, if it is segregated and dispose off properly.”
D'Souza, however, hastened to add that there could not be a complete solution for garbage, emphasising that everybody needed to play their role by segregating garbage at source.
“Nearly 90% of the garbage can be recycled and if garbage is recycled instead of throwing it in the open, the environment can be protected for the future generation,” said D’Souza.
The deputy chief minister had a word of praise for the scrap dealers, stating that their work and their workers played a key role in keeping the surroundings free from scrap and minimizing garbage.
“Scrap dealers help in keeping the area clean and we should support them. However under the garb of activism, many are complaining against them instead of appreciating their service to society,” said D’Souza.
“There are two types of activists, some who seriously work for the betterment of society and the environment, while the other are working for their own benefit,” added D’ Souza.
“Unfortunately, due to these few self-claimed activists who are only interested in their personal benefit, the reputation of other genuine activists gets tarnished,” added D’Souza.
Lauding the MMC on it s award of Rs 1 lakh by the governor for being the cleanest municipal council, D'Souza appealed to residents to maintain cleanliness in the port town.
In his speech, Naik apologized for failing to take up the garbage issue earlier and added that it was the job of the MMC to clear the garbage.
However, I am the local MLA and thought of tackling the garbage issue through the Goa State Urban Development Authority. A consultant will be appointed to scientifically dispose off the solid waste dump at Sada at a cost of Rs. 4.68 crore. The work will be completed within the next one-and-half years,” said Naik.
