A PROGRAMME to make Brunei Darussalam’s capital green was launched yesterday morning at the vacant space near the Jame’ Asr Hassanil Bolkiah, and was officiated by Minister Home Affairs Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Paduka Seri Setia Awg Hj Adanan BPSK Dato Seri Setia Awg Hj Mohd Yusof
The programme is a long-term initiative of the Department of Municipal to make the capital green by planting trees and improving the landscape.

The implementation of the programme will raise awareness among the general public, residents around the area in particular, on the responsibility of all in maintaining greenery around the capital.

Municipal Chairman Pg Hj Muhd Ali Pg Hj Othman in his welcoming speech prior to the launch noted that the rapid development due to economic growth has brought about significant changes to the environment around the capital.

In ensuring the development while maintaining the environment through professional and systematic landscaping needs to be prioritised.

It is hoped that the launch will open up the minds of the. public to join hands in taking responsibilities in providing landscaped gardens to beautify the capital surroundings. Both government and private sectors are expected to take initiatives in beautifying their respective areas by planting trees.

The Bandar Seri .Begawan Municipal Development Committee has outlined several strategic objectives and one of them is to make Bandar Seri Begawan the City in the Garden.

In the National Development Plan, the Department of Municipal has projects to upgrade the standard of parks, particularly the Tasek Lama Recreational Park and Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Silver Jubilee Park, in order to upgrade the beauty of the capital.

Several short and long term programmes, he added, are also being planned to continue the initiatives of the greenery programme, one of which is the planting of trees around commercial and government buildings.

He also said that a consultant has been selected to provide a plan to make the capital the City in the Garden.
Yesterday’s ceremony saw around 500 people comprising several government agencies, private sector and students who joined hands in planting saplings and was joined by the guest of honour.

The minister also toured some greenery sites including Sim Kim Huat Trading Co, Baiduri Bank, TAIB Filling Station Beribi, The Mall Gadong and Universiti Brunei Darussalam.

The minister also officiated the launch of the Minor Offences Act Chapter 30 Signboard at the Gadong Wet Market parking space. The signboard is hoped to promote awareness among the public members on fines for dumping rubbish.

A tree planting ceremony held at the TAIB Beribi Filling Station was participated by Acting Managing Director Pg Hj Abd Rahman Pg Hj Mat Salleh, as well as senior management, officers and staff of TAIB Beribi Filling Station.

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