Arts Fest organizers give House members the
low down on clean up
by Fili Sagapolutele
Samoa News Correspondent
Officials of the 10th Pacific Arts Festival Organizing Committee and ASPA yesterday told the House Government Operations Committee about their current island-wide clean up plans, taking place now as well as during the festival, set for July 20-Aug. 2, 2008.
House members wanted to find out what is being done to clean up the territory in preparation for the festival, which is expected to attract thousands of visitors and delegates.
Ta'amu Iakopo, who chairs the beautification subcommittee, said there are plans for a clean-up island wide with the Department of Public Works covering roadside areas from Nu'uuli to Fagaalu.
He also said that the beautification committee is focusing clean up efforts between the airport and Pago Pago village, which is the main area traveled by those attending the festival.
He said the clean up focus will expand to outlying villages.
Ta'amu, who is also the director of Parks and Recreation says his subcommittee has contacted the Office of Samoan Affairs for their assistance in getting villages involved in the clean up. He said lawmakers can also assist by working with their respective villages and districts to launch clean ups.
House Government Operations Committee chairman, Rep. Vaitoa Hans Langkilde said it's good to start now with clean-up so that it will become a habit for eveyone all the way up to the festival and after the festival.
ASPA chief operations officer Reno Vivao informed lawmakers that ASPA has provided to the organizing committee trash collection plans in preparation for the festival as well as during the festival.
Vivao said ASPA is awaiting additional trash bins to place in "key places" where lots of people are expected to congregate and more steel drums for trash, to be painted in a uniform color, will be distributed to other locations.
During the festival, the solid waste collection will step up, increasing trash collection at the main venues and accommodation sites and other locations such as bus stops, he said and noted that scrap metal collection will be placed on hold during the festival.
When scrap metal is collected, it is usually placed along the roadside for pickup and ASPA does not want this to pile up along the highway with so many visitors on island, he added.
Also there will be an increase of trash collection island wide during the festival, he noted.
Mathew Asuega, representing T&T Recycling - one of the two local firms contracted for trash collection, confirmed trash collection will increase during the festival to ensure that the island remains clean.
Rep. Archie Taotasi Soliai said one way to make sure villages concentrate more effort on cleaning is holding a beatification competition and asked the organizing committee if a competition is on their agenda.
Organizing Committee co-chair Fagafaga Daniel Langkilde said ANZ Amerika Samoa Bank has offered to provide prizes for a competition and the committee is working on plans. He also assured the House members that the festival committee continues to work closely with Samoan Affairs Office and ASPA regarding the trash and cleanup issues.
Rep. Leapai Sipa Anoai said the organizing committee should focus more attention in the Bay Area, because it's where many of the events will occur. Leapai also reminded the committee of the conditions of some of the homes and buildings surrounding the Fagatogo Malae and asked if there are any plans to paint these structures before the festival.
Organizing Committee co-chair Leala Pili acknowledged the condition of several homes that overlook the Fagatogo Malae and noted that she will ask the Fagatogo Aumaga for assistance in getting paint and lumber for any necessary repairs.
House members were also given copies of the festival program, which includes specific dates, events and locations.
Reach the reporter at fili@samoanews.com.
© Osini Faleatasi Inc. dba Samoa News reserves all rights.
|
