"Risma is eligible to receive the award for her meritorious service to Surabaya`s residents for 20 years in the Surabaya administration," Executive Director of UN Habitat Maimunah Mohd Sharif noted in a statement here on Tuesday.
Under her leadership, Sharif noted that Surabaya City had succeeded in implementing the urban waste management program, mobilizing the local community in reducing and recycling waste, and managing garbage banks as micro funding for the society.
"Risma is considered to have made innovations in greening the city and in cleaning and beautifying the river. Risma has also eased health services for the public," she elaborated.
The award is one of the most prestigious global awards presented to those having contributed to improvement in quality of urban life.
The Scroll of Honor Award is the highest award given by UN Habitat to countries, cities, organizations and individuals that are viewed as being meritorious and having made a contribution in realizing a humane and sustainable city and ensuring that no one would be left behind.
Sharif noted that for this year, the organization has selected more than 50 candidates -- individuals, organizations, and working programs -- to receive the award.
The winners were selected based on presentation and concrete practice that was related to sustainable development.
"I am happy to know this remarkable achievement that has contributed to improving the quality of the city urban`s life," she added.
The award was presented to coincide with 2018 World Habitat Day that falls on Oct 1.
Other recipients of the award are Xuzhu Jiangsu City of China, the national planning applied in the new agenda of Cuba for 2017-2036, Isaac "Kaka" Muasa-Chairman Mathare Environmental Conservation Youth Group (MECYG) Kenya, and Vice President of Institute for International Urban Development, USA Dr. Mona A. Serageldin (1938 - 2018).
A spokesman of the Surabaya city administration M. Fikser stated that the award has been presented to five figures or agencies in Indonesia.
"The mayor of Surabaya is the sixth," he remarked.
The five figures or institutions that received the award comprised the State Savings Bank in 1994, Public Works Minister Radinal Moocthar in 1997, and Prof. Johan Silas for dedication towards research, handling, and providing affordable housing for the poor obtained in 2005.
In addition, the award was presented to the Provincial Government of DKI Jakarta for slum improvement and the provision of new infrastructure to make an inclusive cosmopolitan city in 2005 and North Sumatra Governor Tengku Rizal Nurdin (Posthumous) over the handling of the earthquake and tsunami in Nangroe Aceh Darussalam Province and North Sumatra Province.
Reporting by Abdul Hakim
Editing by Sri Haryati, Bustanuddin
Reporter: Antara
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
