PA launches Water-Venture Committee in Pasir Ris

Channel NewsAsia 4 Oct 14;

SINGAPORE: Pasir Ris residents keen to pursue water sports and want to get involved in creating an environmentally-conscious community can do so by joining a new movement. A Water-Venture Committee was launched by the People's Association in the constituency on Saturday (Oct 4).

Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean kicked off Project Blue WaVe on Saturday. Project Blue WaVe is the first of a three-part signature event organised by the Water-Venture Committee. During the event, 300 residents picked up litter from the Sungei Api-Api river while others cleaned up the banks on foot.

The newly-formed committee comprises of grassroots leaders and volunteer trainers. They will support the residents' involvement in keeping the environment clean and healthy.

A total of eight Water-Venture committees will eventually be launched in other constituencies.

Mr Teo said such projects are a good way of bringing the community together to create awareness about the environment. "Sungei Api-Api is a natural river with mangrove sites so it's not easy to clean it from the shore side. Every couple of years, we go in from the seaside with kayaks and help to clean up. And I think it achieves two things - first, we help to clean up the river. Second, it teaches everyone a little bit more about the environment," added Mr Teo.

- CNA/ac