ORANJESTAD (AAN) – DOW Team Prepares for Aruba National Clean-Up Day as Prime Minister Mike Eman met with employees of Aruba’s Department of Public Works (DOW) to thank them for their daily efforts and encourage participation in the nationwide clean-up campaign scheduled for July 25.
During a Monday morning gathering, Eman met with several DOW work crews responsible for roadside cleaning and the maintenance of Aruba’s public infrastructure.
The Prime Minister praised the employees for their dedication, acknowledging that keeping Aruba clean has become increasingly challenging since the closure of the island’s landfill, which has contributed to a rise in illegal dumping across various neighborhoods.
“This situation has made your work twice as difficult,” Eman told the employees, thanking them for continuing to respond to community requests while working under demanding conditions.
According to Eman, the government’s new waste disposal site has already received nearly 3,000 pickup truck loads of waste, and additional collection locations are expected to open in the future. He said these measures will eventually allow DOW crews to devote more time to their regular responsibilities, including grass cutting, roadside maintenance, and caring for public spaces.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister also invited DOW employees to volunteer for the National Day to Care for Aruba, which will take place on Saturday, July 25.
More than 26 collection points equipped with waste containers will be available across the island, and work crews will be assigned to specific locations, including areas where illegal dumping has been reported. DOW will coordinate schedules and assignments to ensure volunteers know where they are needed.
Eman emphasized that participation is voluntary and described the event as a heartfelt appeal for residents to work together in caring for Aruba.
Several government agencies, public companies, contractors, and partner organizations will also provide equipment, waste containers, and logistical support to help ensure the campaign’s success.
The Prime Minister stressed that the initiative is about more than a single day of cleaning.
“Aruba belongs to all of us. God has given us this island, and it is our shared responsibility to care for it. You are doing your part, but the community must do its part as well,” Eman said.
The campaign aims to increase public awareness and encourage residents not to dump waste after areas have been cleaned. If the initiative proves successful, the government plans to expand similar community projects, including neighborhood improvements, school and sports facility upgrades, and tree-planting initiatives across the island.
Closing the meeting, Eman again thanked DOW employees for their perseverance and said future discussions would address employment contracts, working conditions, and additional ideas to improve staff welfare.
He concluded by encouraging all residents to unite in protecting Aruba, emphasizing that caring for the island is a shared responsibility.
