Top officials play key role in success of clean-up drive<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): A government official stressed that
\nenvironmental campaigns will not succeed if top officials fail to
\ntake active roles.<\/p>\n
Speaking to journalists, Gempur Anan, the director for the
\ncontrol of water and land pollution in the environment minister's
\noffice, said the success of a regional, city or village
\ncleanliness drive depends on the commitment of local officials.<\/p>\n
"How can you expect the people to care and take part in such a
\ncampaign if the officials just stay at home in bed?" he asked.<\/p>\n
Gempur's remarks came on the eve of the annual Kalpataru and
\nAdipura awards for environmental work and cleanliness. The awards
\nwill be presented by President Soeharto at the state palace this
\nmorning.<\/p>\n
The Kalpataru was first awarded in 1980 to individuals or
\ngroups dedicated to environmental preservation.<\/p>\n
The Adipura is awarded to cities, mayoralties or regencies
\nwhich have maintained a high standard of cleanliness. The award
\nis an incentive for townships and regencies to implement
\ncleanliness programs and thereby create a healthy environment.<\/p>\n
When asked by journalists what he perceived to be the trick to
\nmanaging an Adipura-winning cleanliness program, Gempur
\nunderlined that community participation was paramount.<\/p>\n
In order to ignite such a campaign, however, most Indonesians
\nmust see officials showing genuine interest in the drive, he
\npointed out.<\/p>\n
"People's participation really stems from the officials'
\nparticipation," Gempur said.<\/p>\n
He denied suggestions that the success of a cleanliness
\nprogram depended on the financial resources available.<\/p>\n
"Whether you have money or not, as long as you have the will
\nand commitment you can definitely succeed," he said.<\/p>\n
The second important factor to a cleanliness campaign,
\naccording to Gempur, was coordination.<\/p>\n
Judging<\/p>\n
Speaking on the judging of the Adipura, Gempur said that
\nmayoralties like Jakarta received higher marks because of the
\nformidable conditions they faced.<\/p>\n
He said it would be unfair to judge a mayoralty in Jakarta,
\nfor example, against a small town in Central Java with less
\npeople and less grime.<\/p>\n
He explained areas with high population densities get higher
\nconsideration points than protocol boulevards.<\/p>\n
Four of Jakarta's five mayoralties received the award last
\nyear.<\/p>\n
Gempur said two major aspects were judged: the management and
\nthe physical aspect.<\/p>\n
The management aspect gauged the awareness of local
\nadministrators of environmental concerns. The criteria includes
\nhow much of their budget is allocated to cleanliness. Community
\nparticipation in the cleanliness programs is also a deciding
\nfactor.<\/p>\n
The physical aspect is judged through an on-site inspection of
\nthe area to witness the normal state of each location.(mds)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/top-officials-play-key-role-in-success-of-clean-up-drive-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}