QUẢNG NGÃI — On Wednesday, nearly 500 individuals from various organisations, including the police, army, and border guards, participated in a clean-up operation at the Sa Huỳnh saltwater lagoon.

This initiative was conducted under the direction of the Đức Phổ Town People’s Committee in Quảng Ngãi Province. It was launched following a report by a Vietnam News Agency correspondent, which revealed that dozens of tonnes of waste had accumulated in the lagoon.

The clean-up effort commenced at 6am. Participants were supplied with gloves, rubber boots, medical masks, and necessary tools. During the operation, they gathered rubbish around the Thạnh Đức Bridge, the Sa Huỳnh saltwater lagoon, and the Thạch By No 1 and No 2 embankments.

After the rubbish was cleared, the medical force applied disinfectant to the areas that were heavily polluted.

The Quảng Ngãi Urban Environment Joint Stock Company was responsible for transporting the collected waste to a designated treatment area, in compliance with regulations.

In addition to the rubbish collection and environmental sanitation activities, the participants also towed abandoned fishing vessels located in the Sa Huỳnh fishing port.

To discourage people from littering in the Sa Huỳnh lagoon, Đỗ Tâm Hiến, chairman of the Đức Phổ Town People's Committee, announced that the committee has requested the Phổ Thạnh Ward to enhance educational efforts. This is intended to encourage organisations, individuals, and households in the area to dispose of their waste at the designated locations.

To further facilitate proper waste disposal, additional rubbish bins will be installed in the Phổ Thạnh Ward. Inspections will also be intensified to identify and address individuals who deliberately dispose of waste in inappropriate locations.

With regards to a long-term solution, the committee is expediting procedures to attract investors for the development of the Phổ Nhơn solid waste treatment complex. This complex is anticipated to effectively address the waste management issues in Đức Phổ Ward.

Trần Thị Hạ Vũ, director of the Quảng Ngãi Environmental Protection Department, emphasized the need for Đức Phổ Ward to establish regular waste collection practices. This is to prevent unlawful waste disposal into the Sa Huỳnh lagoon and to foster a greater sense of environmental responsibility among the local population, she added.

The clean-up operation was initiated in response to a report filed last Friday by the Vietnam News Agency correspondent. This report detailed the waste issue around the Sa Huỳnh lagoon, as well as in several channels and residential quarters in Phổ Thạnh Ward. — VNS