Lobito - Environmentalist Madaleno Constantino considered, on Monday, the award for conservation of ecosystems and biodiversity, awarded to the city of Lobito (Benguela), by the Forum of Municipalities and Cities of Angola (FMCA), “well deserved”.
Madaleno Constantino reacted to the awarding of the main prize in this category to Lobito, during the forum held in the city of Malanje, where the country's 164 municipalities were represented.
Speaking to ANGOP, the environmentalist stated that this award represents a “great victory” for the residents of the Phoenicopterus City, mainly for the Lobito Municipal Administration (AML), as the managing entity of this part of the country.
“It is important to highlight that this award was only possible thanks to the combined efforts between the AML and civil society, such as Non-Governmental Organizations that have ongoing projects aimed at conserving ecosystems and biodiversity”, considered.
He assured that Lobito has the “blessing” of having Organizations such as the Association of Environmental Defenders and Friends (ADAMA) and Otchiva, very committed to the conservation of ecosystems and biodiversity.
“The Administration is open to supporting these organizations and their projects, creating a very positive impact for species, ecosystems, biodiversity and, above all, for the residents of this territory”, he stated
Madaleno Constantino is of the opinion that, if on the one hand the award comes as recognition of what has already been done in the last twelve months, on the other hand it should be seen as an incentive for more work.
“What we can do from now on is redouble our efforts, work harder and harder to maintain what has been achieved. I am sure that by working in this way, we will be contributing to a better Angola”, he said.
He added that, despite resource limitations, environmentalists contribute from Lobito and there are other people contributing to the same purpose, in other parts of Angola.
“If we all row in this direction, we will have a better Angola in the short or medium term”, he assured.
According to him, it is important to highlight that from now on they need to work harder and harder and this award gives them more responsibility because the challenges are huge.
He recalled that the characteristics of the city of Lobito are quite complex. “There is a lot of demographic pressure on certain habitats, especially mangroves, which require a lot of attention, since there are several commercial interests", he emphasized.
“It is necessary that we work to take care these habitats and ecosystems, so that the species continue to have that space as a paradise and that in some way they can benefit the residents”, he added.
In the wetlands of the city of Lobito there are several species, with emphasis on Phoenicopterus that have become the symbol of the city, due to their charm that attracts not only residents, but also national and foreign tourists.
TC/CRB/CF/DOJ
