World Cleanup Day is a globally commemorated day across 190 countries. People gather to participate in clean-up activities and other events to work towards a cleaner and more sustainable world.
At Sustyvibes, we strongly focus on creating a more sustainable world; hence annually, we have always commemorated the world clean up day dubbed the “Susty Street Conference”. For this, we partner with global players to maintain the discussion of the pressing and troubling effects of climate change in our world today, and we engage in clean-up activities across communities.
The Port Harcourt SustyVibes Hub “PHCVibers” embarked on a cleanup and market advocacy event at the Mile 3 Motor Park and Market, Diobu of Rivers State, on 17th September 2022.
EVENT ACTIVITIES:
We gathered at the N.U.R.T.W. office in the Mile 3 Motor park as the chairman graciously obliged us. The event began with an opening prayer, after which a brief introductory session was done to honor and recognize all volunteer organizations and partners. During the introductions, the purpose of the street conference was also restated to all parties present. Everyone was encouraged to do their best to ensure that the event turned out great and that we had a strong impact.
After the introductory sessions, the safety materials, Hand gloves, facemasks and latex gloves were distributed to the volunteers the cleaning tools were also distributed. Volunteers were divided into advocacy and cleanup teams in the park and the market sections.
PARTNERS AND VOLUNTEERS
Through this event, we got to engage with several volunteer organizations and the Port Harcourt L.G.A. on our activities and their efficacy in grassroots engagement on pressing environmental and climate issues.
These partners were the Port Harcourt City Local Government Council, Waste Management Society of Nigeria (W.A.M.A.S.O.N.), United Way Greater Nigeria, Green Jots, iRecycle Initiative, Global Shapers, Recycle Points Limited, Futuresavers Development Initiative Rivers State (F.S.D.I.), Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) Rivers State.
These partners supported the delivery of a highly impactful street conference in Port Harcourt. The Secretary to the Environmental Sanitation Committee was present for the entirety of the event, together with members of their cleanup team. The Committee’s Chairman was also present.
We also gathered a total of 64 volunteers who worked hard to ensure that the park and market were properly cleaned and also carried out sensitization activities to help the drivers, passengers, traders and everyone around who they could reach understand the importance of having a clean environment and their duties in contributing to a more sustainable world for all.
IMPACT:
We collected recyclables with an estimated weight of 11kg, which was handed over to Recycle Points Limited.
The event wrapped up with photo sessions and networking. Refreshment was distributed and closing remarks were given by the SustyVibes Port Harcourt Community Manager – Anita A. Ike.
CHALLENGES/RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. There is a need to intensify the message on waste segregation from source instead of going into the streets, e.g., Schools, hotels, homes, churches, organisations, etc.
2. As part of our advocacy, we must advise the management of public spaces like markets and motor parks to have toilets. The motor park had a foul smell of human waste, hence, where we did not clean up organic waste.