1.         I am happy to join you this evening to launch the Clean and Green Singapore programme and for the opening of the Marina Barrage.

 

 

 

2.         The completion of the Marina Barrage is an important milestone in the Singapore water story. The barrage creates a reservoir that collects rain-water from the largest catchment in Singapore, about one-sixth of our land area, in the most densely built-up part of the island. It also alleviates flooding in the low-lying areas of the city, especially when heavy rain coincides with high tide. In addition, the barrage ensures a constant water level and calm waters all year round, making the Marina reservoir a beautiful and convenient venue for recreation activities. Along with the Gardens-by-the-Bay, Marina Sands Integrated Resort and Downtown Marina, it will add to the vibrancy and attractiveness of the city.

 

3.         The construction of the barrage is an engineering feat. Poor soil conditions meant that piling at the site is one of the deepest in Singapore. The pivot blocks supporting the massive 70-tonne crest gates had to be positioned to within an accuracy of 2 millimetres! For its engineering excellence, the project has won several awards. I congratulate the PUB and its partners in the construction industry for a job well done.

 

 

 

4.         What you see here today is the culmination of creative, visionary thinking as well as decades of planning and hard work. It began more than 30 years ago, when then Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew set a challenge to the Environment Ministry to clean up the Singapore River.

 

5.         It was a massive task. The authorities had to resettle farms and squatters, and relocate polluting industries. With the strong commitment of the government, by 1987 the river was clean enough for fish to return. In the same year, then PM Lee issued another challenge – to dam up the mouth of the Marina channel to create a freshwater lake. This we have done today.

 

6.         The Marina Reservoir formed behind the barrage collects water from a highly urbanised environment. It is technologically challenging to treat the water, which will contain accumulated pollutants despite our stringent environmental standards. But over the years we have studied overseas facilities, experimented with the science and built up strong water-treatment capabilities. With the progress of membrane technology, we can now treat the reservoir water to drinking water standards in a reliable and cost effective way.

 

7.         Ensuring that Singapore has an adequate and secure supply of water has been a massive national effort. Since independence, we have steadily expanded our water catchments and invested in water technologies. Through the concerted efforts and ingenuity of government agencies, and the full support and cooperation of the population, we have become more self-sufficient in water, and can become completely self-sufficient should we need to. We have also turned our vulnerability into a capability – today Singapore is well known for its knowledge and expertise on water manage-ment, and our water engineering companies have won contracts to build water facilities all over the world.

 

8.         Effective water management is just one example of how Singapore has achieved strong economic growth while protecting and even enhancing the environment. Besides access to clean water, we have ensured that Singaporeans can breathe clean air and enjoy green spaces. Singapo¬reans may take this for granted, but those who have visited or lived in other cities, especially in Asia, will appreciate how exceptional and precious this is. We have achieved it through thoughtful planning and zoning, to optimise our land resources while minimising the impact of development on the environment. We have enacted comprehensive regulations to ensure good air quality. We have encouraged the use of cleaner fuels and more efficient processes to reduce pollutant emissions from cars and factories. We have closely monitored what is actually happening on the ground, and effectively enforced the rules against polluters. And we remain committed to greenery in Singapore, setting aside 10% of our land area for parks and nature reserves despite the scarcity of land on a crowded island.

 

 

9.         However, good planning, superior infrastructure and effective regulations in themselves are not sufficient. The key factor is our people. It is not possible to keep our environment clean and green unless Singaporeans share the passion to keep it that way. 

 

10.       Take for example the challenge of keeping our public spaces clean. It is certainly possible for people to litter at will, and to deploy an army of cleaners to clean up after us. But this is neither desirable nor sustainable. Instead, every citizen must feel responsible for our estates, parks and other public places, to take care of them and not litter or damage them. 

 

11.       I know that by and large Singaporeans do feel proud of what we have achieved and want to do their part. This evening, many individuals and communities will be receiving the Clean and Green Singapore Awards, to recognise their outstanding efforts to maintain and improve our living environment. One of the winners is South West District, which has won the Best Community award. It has actively reached out to residents, students and foreign workers, and rolled out many district-wide programmes dealing with public health, recycling and energy efficiency. South West District did not win easily, because the other districts have also mobilised their respective communities to spruce up their estates. This is good news for Singapore.

 

 

 

12.       Singaporeans are also becoming more enthusiastic about greenery. Many become nature conservation volunteers who help to manage our nature reserves, lead guided tours or do survey work to document the richness of our biodiversity. On my walkabouts I have noticed more residents from all walks of life tending gardens in their estates. Gardening has helped to bring people together and created a sense of ownership and pride. 

 

13.       The Community in Bloom movement, which we started in 2005, has attracted more than 15,000 people. Today, six Singaporeans are receiving Community in Bloom Ambassador’s Awards. They have contributed time and effort, and gone the extra mile to help others enjoy gardening.

 

14.       One of the winners is 27-year-old Philip Li, an instructor with the Association for Persons with Special Needs. He started off with very little knowledge of plants, but was bitten by the gardening bug when he was looking for new ways to help intellectually disabled students. He single-handedly transformed the grounds of the school into beautiful gardens. Now, he works with 140 students with special needs to build their confidence and social skills through gardening.

 

 

15.       I congratulate all the award winners, and hope that all Singaporeans will draw inspiration from their examples. The government will continue to invest in parks and infrastructure, and work towards improving our living environment. Together, we can keep Singapore a clean, green and blue city, the best place to live in.