DILI, 17 january 2022 (TATOLI) – Lack of community awareness and participation contributes to poor sanitation management in Dili,” said Gil da Conceição a researcher from the Center for Gender Studies at the National University of Timor Lorosa’e (UNTL).
“Waste has become a national problem that requires attention and participation from all levels of society to reduce, eradicate and provide solutions to sanitation management in the capital city of Dili. Therefore, more contributions and participation from all levels are needed for people to live healthily and create a good image for international visitors who wish to visit the country,” said Gil da Conceição
According to Mr. Conceição, Sanitation management is one of the biggest environmental problems because it is related to an increase in the population and other characteristics such as education, mindset, and behavior.
He added that public awareness of sanitation management is still low because waste is disposed of in any place without following the schedule set by the government.
The Dili Municipal Government has made a schedule for throwing garbage into the trash between 04:00 and 07:00.
According to the results of a survey conducted in 2014 by professors Gil da Conceição and Matias Boavida, from the UNTL Center for Gender Studies, in 1,254 capital cities of Dili – Caicoli, Bidau Santa Ana, Lahane Occidental, Bairro Pité, and Comoro, showed 79.1% of women had high responsibility in waste management compared to 41.1% men.
This study also identified the methods used by each family, in managing household waste: (41.9%) families placed it in front of the house, (6%) families separated waste by type before disposal, (69.6%) families distributed it based on category of waste, (12.7%) families throw garbage into the river, burn (28.9%) and bury (12.4%).
The researcher identified that the factors causing the increase in the volume of waste in the capital city of Dili were the lack of several sanitary landfills in each village and the delay in collecting waste.
It is known that, Previously, The Ministry of State Administration (MAE), will placed four thousand new waste containers to accommodate the waste produced by residents in Dili.
Following the data recorded from the authority, Dili produces 220 tons of waste every day, with each person contributing 0.7 kilograms while 55% of the waste is transported to the Tibar landfill and 45% is dumped into ditches, rivers, seas, etc.
Journalist: José Belarmino De Sá
Editor: Nelia B
