A campaign to clean and collect heaps of garbage is underway in the Jonglei State capital, Bor town.
The campaign, which started last week is spearheaded by the State Health Ministry in partnership with Bor Municipal Council.
John Makwei Alier, the Bor Municipality public health deputy director, told Radio Tamazuj that the general cleanliness exercise is aimed at keeping the town clean and safe from waterborne diseases as the rainy season begins.
“We started this campaign on Wednesday, and it covers all the town from Marol to Akonayol, Langbaar, Tibek, Leudiet, and all other blocks in Bor. Though there is water in the town, we are carrying out the cleanliness exercise to avoid the risk of waterborne and airborne diseases," he said.
Makwei pointed out that the campaign will continue until the town is clean and all members of the public and government officials will take part in the exercise.
“The town is very dirty in the residential area. Marol market was very dirty. So, we will do this exercise regularly,” Atong Kuol Manyang Juuk, the state health minister said.
Kuol urged everyone to take part in the campaign, warning that those found in a dirty environment will be arrested.
Meanwhile, David Garang Goc, the head of the Jonglei Civil Society Network (JSCN), applauded the initiative but says the government should have put all efforts to rehabilitate the dyke.
“Cleaning the town without fixing the dyke is nothing. It is somehow positive, but I am saying this because water is still running in the town. Now, you will see them writing a lot of bills for this exercise instead of using the money for the dykes,” he stressed.
A similar exercise was launched in early January this year.