Japan formalises assistance for Nauru waste segregation project
His Excellency President Baron Waqa signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) with Japan Ambassador Takuji Hanatani
formalising a waste segregation, today 20 February.
The Government of Japan will provide assistance under the Grant
Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) program
worth AUD$64,275 to Nauru's Department of Commerce, Industry and
Environment (CIE) as the agency responsible for overseeing the
management of the project.
President Waqa signed the MOU in his capacity as Minister for CIE
while earlier this afternoon, acting Secretary for CIE Mavis
Depaune signed the agreement on behalf of CIE as the responsible
agency.
The funds will go towards the effective segregation of waste as
well as the construction of a waste segregation facility and
provision of a glass crusher, can baler, two trailers and 1000
woven polypropylene bags.
Nauru is facing waste management challenges as household waste and
various other waste products are dumped at the island's dump site
without further processing.
The Nauru Rehabilitation Corporation has tried to segregate
recyclable products but have found it difficult to do so.
The implementation of the waste segregation project will enable
the Department of CIE to provide Nauruans with a safer and more
sanitary environment with appropriate waste management
facilities.
The GGP program is part of the overall Japanese ODA implemented by
the Embassy of Japan in order to empower the people from the
grassroots level. The GGP program in Nauru has been implemented in
areas such as water supply, transportation and fishery since 2006.
To date, about 15 projects have been implemented under the GGP
program which amount to an approximate value of USD1.3-million.