Since the Xummiemu educational campaign was launched there has been a substantial increase in the amount of downloads of the Clean and Upkeep app and the number of reports that have come to the Department of Cleaning and Maintenance. This is as the amount of people who downloaded the app in the month of August – the first month of the campaign – was greater than the total amount of downloads in the first seven months of the year collectively.
This information was given by the Parliamentary Secretary for Public Cleanliness Glenn Bedingfield and the Director General of Clean Malta Ramon Deguara in Delimara where the Division’s workers intervened after one of the reports that came through the Clean and Upkeep. The app is aimed at helping people report where intervention is needed from the Division because they understand the importance of a clean country while encouraging the public to take direct action by reporting illegal dumping.
It was explained that there was an increase of almost 80% in the number of reports to the Cleaning and Maintenance Division when compared to the first seven months of this year. The majority of these reports came in through the app, 28% of the reports came in through the 1718 line and almost 13% through email. This means that more people are taking the initiative to inform the authorities about problems such as dirt on the streets, illegal dumping, and maintenance in recreation areas. In addition, the campaign led to 1,550 downloads of the Department’s official app from August to the first half of September, an increase of more than 250% over the first seven months of the year.
From the beginning of this year to the middle of September, a total of 13,609 reports were received, of which more than 93% were resolved, with the majority of them being addressed within a few hours of the Department receiving the report.
“This campaign clearly showed how much the Maltese and Gozitan people are aware of the importance of a clean country. These numbers are not only the result of the government’s efforts, but of the people’s own collaboration. When we work together, we get positive results. As I have always maintained, public cleanliness is not only the responsibility of the department, but of everyone. I encourage more people to use this app because to keep our country clean it requires everyone’s effort,” said Parliamentary Secretary Glenn Bedingfield.
