06 Dec 2022

The state of the North West District in terms of cleanness, pollution has raised concern to the council leadership.

Speaking at the ongoing North West District full council sitting in Maun the Council Chairperson Mr Kebareeditse Ntsogotho stated that there had been an increase in wastewater with most wastewater treatment facilities unlicensed, releasing huge quantities of poor quality effluent into the environment.

The chairperson highlighted that all wastewater treatment facilities and waste carriers operating without a license were in contravention of the Waste Management Act, 2008, hence should all start the processes towards attaining licenses.

Moreover he said the air quality had deteriorated due to an increase in vehicles mostly imports with catalytic converters that were removed, boats, small aircrafts, and industries emitting into the atmosphere.

Mr Ntsogotho said burning of waste was common in all villages around the District and mostly in government institutions especially primary schools.

He said Maun was currently operating with only one air quality monitoring station housed in Okavango Research Institute (ORI) which he said was not strategically stationed.

The chairperson called for an establishment of another air quality monitoring station as that would help the District leadership in planning for cleaner environment especially air as it impacted heavily on the health of people.

The chairperson further noted with concern the mismanagement of the solid waste facilities especially in dumping sites and transfer stations as criminals vandalised and stole fences and gates provided for containment of solid waste in these facilities.

Councilor Ntsogotho said there was need to explore spy camera technology around the District especially in hotspots targeted for illegal sand mining and waste disposal to capture such acts.

He said environmental management remained key in sustainable environment which was why the Council was committed to providing a regular household waste collection service in all gazetted villages and a monthly cleanliness campaign initiative.

Mr Ntsogotho advised that as people go into the festive season they should be mindful of bad behavioral and practices that polluted the environment.

“Preserving our environment for future generations need continued collaborated efforts to achieve this goal.’’ ENDS