The initial phase of cleaning up the city began May 5 and focuses on picking up trash along Basra’s streets and canals.
The city is only capable of picking up approximately 40 percent of the 2,700 tons of trash generated on a daily basis, said Maj. Stanley Hutchison, 2nd BCT project management team chief. “They get further and further behind in trash disposal every day,” said Hutchison. “When Saddam came into power, he cut off the essential services to this area. It’s been like this since the ’70s.” “That’s why it’s a big problem and they need our help. Waste management was identified as one of the highest priorities for the 2nd BCT,” continued Hutchison. The accumulated trash has become a serious problem and clogs canals, blocks streets and fills fields.
“By cleaning up all of the trash sites, it opens up more land for businesses and residences,” said Hutchison, who comes from Salem, Ore. “It’s also an invitation for investors to invest in the community and bring more jobs to the area.” The 2nd BCT met with government officials and developed a program to clean up Basra that started with picking up large densities of trash piles within the city. The program will then progress to providing more trash containers throughout the city, recycling scrap metal piles, restoring the trash collection fleet, providing citizens with routine trash pick-up services and developing solid waste transfer stations, said Hutchison.
Currently, he said there are approximately $8 million in solid waste management projects which are in progress or pending. “America and Iraq must continue to work together as friends to clean up Basra and make it the beautiful city it once was,” said Rajih Aboud, Basra’s assistant governor. “We promise that we’re going to work hard for the people of Basra and improve their quality of life.” “The city of Basra has been waiting for this change that our government is now bringing. There are many projects (being) done by the U.S. and Iraqis, working together to help clean up and stabilize Basra. We appreciate the help. Together we serve the city and help its people,” said Suhail Abud, technical consultant for the governor.
“It is very important to clean every area of the city. Cleaning the streets and the canals is only the beginning,” said Abud. “Cleaning the city is especially important for the people and their health. It is (also) good for the environment, for tourism and businesses.” He said the last time the canals, streets and city were cleaned was in 1988. “Now we are beginning to clean the city again!” exclaimed Abud. “I and all the people are happy to see the city being cleaned.” He said a clean city will result in greater pride. “In the near future Basra will be much cleaner and better.”
The city plans on educating the populace about the detrimental effects of litter and hopes to prevent citizens from littering by eventually re-enforcing fines, said Jamal Salem, Basra’s municipality directorate general. “This is very good for our city and we need to continue to clean the city. It is the responsibility of both the government and the people to make the city beautiful,” said Khalid, a vendor along the al-Ashar Canal. “It is good for the environment and the health of our people, especially our children: our future. We want a beautiful and safe Basra for our children to enjoy.” “A cleaner city would be nicer to grow up in and play in,” said Hassan, a 13-year-old in the Hyyaniya District. Some younger children with him nodded their agreement excitedly as they watched city workers pick up a mass of garbage next to their homes.
