An ailing island in the sun

As the jet turns in crisp blue equatorial skies on its approach to Kiribati's capital, Tarawa, the vulnerability of the ribbon of atolls unfolds.

[Straight Shooter]

Went to Tarawa a year ago and its far from what you would call paradise!. The people are nice though the place is disgusting. There is rubbish every you look and people live in Shanty towns around rubbish.

[JKG]

Good comments,thats what happen at some places around the world some are worse than here.The problem is not neglected the ministries concerned are working on what you have mentioned above. They tried to improve the situation but the problem are the resources, anyway TRW is still the number one on other things...

[Straight Shooter]

JKG I've travelled the pacific many times and Tarawa is probably the dirtiest of them all. Sure, the government deserves some credit for their recycling intiative but alot more can and should be done. I truly believe a change in attitude amongst the people and a bit of educations is what is required rather than more money to tackle what seems a simple issue.

[Concern Citizen]

I agree with your assessment Straight Shooter. I am from Kiribati and I know our people need education to make the change. If you walk around the island in public areas one hardly see trash pins around and if you do see one they stand empty as people just litter their trash on the ground. I believe our government need to make new regulations and enforce existing policies to improve the rubbish issue on Tarawa. It is a small island and I believe it doesn`t need much to tackle the problem. Eduacation and enforcement of laws is what is needed.

[Sun]

Shooter is right, and JKG should not hide the facts under the blanket.

I'm a native who has been longing to see that something is done about the rubbish, etc on South Tarawa.

Yet, our leaders and politicians are too incompetent to resolve this issue! Sadly, Kiribati image is poor just because of this problem.

Te Mauri iaora ni bane.