The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

NEW signage erected on Coral Road, Freeport, is part of an ongoing campaign to promote cleanliness of the environment in Grand Bahama.

The Keep Grand Bahama Clean Committee (KGBC), partnering with the Bahamas National Trust, Ministry of Tourism and Sanitation Services, installed a sign this past week on the busy causeway.

According to a spokesperson of KGBC, the sign is part of continued efforts to spread awareness about the negative impact of pollution and to encourage residents to be environmental stewards through eye-catching, engaging and humorous promotional signs posted around the island.

Olethea Gardiner, KGBC co-chairperson, explained that the KGBC committee introduced a puppetry element in 2010 during school presentations to send a fun, but important message of protecting the environment and keeping communities clean.

“As the puppets are becoming a familiar KGBC fixture through the presentations and TV commercials, we wanted to make them a constant reminder with catchy slogans for all residents to do their part in keeping our environment clean,” she said.

Ms Gardiner stated that there has been a successful reception of the campaign. She noted that students know Chris, the puppet, from the signs on the road.

She added that the recent signage bearing the puppets came about as a result of a competition among the eco-schools during the past school year, to create environmental slogans that could be identified with culturally.

“So, this effort also recognises the winning entries from students of Bishop Michael Eldon High School,” Ms Gardiner said.

Ellsworth Weir, BT Grand Bahama parks manager, believes that initiatives like these help to spread the word to the public about being more conscious of their environment.

He noted that the spread of pollution has adverse impact on people’s health, and to land and marine ecosystems.

In addition to the negative effects on people’s health and environment, Mr Weir stressed that littering is “unsightly and creates a negative image for us, especially being a touristic based nation.”

He stated that it should always be ensured that the best image is being portrayed to the public.

Mr Weir said that he supports of many initiatives of the Keep Grand Bahama Clean Committee.

He also encouraged residents to support BNT by becoming members of that organisation. Membership allows free admission to any national parks in the Bahamas, in Jamaica, and in Europe.

Pauline Wells, Ministry of Tourism executive, said the campaign is very beneficial and seeks to enact real change within the community.

She said: “Taking part in an event like this is important not only for the Ministry of Tourism and our visitors, but it also raises awareness that we should continue to make great strides to keep our environment clean.”