Lobito — The chairman of the International Congress on Solid Residues, the Portuguese Mário Russo, said last Tuesday in Lobito, central Benguela Province, that Angola has been chosen to host this event, the first one happening in Africa, due to this country's importance in the context of the African nations and the Portuguese speaking countries.

Mário Russo said so on the fringe of the opening ceremony of the First International Congress on Solid Residues, which was chaired by the Environment minister, Fátima Jardim.

According to Mário Russo, who is also a university lecturer and chairman of the Portuguese Association of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering (APESB), Angola is a nation with potential, which intends to improve its knowledge on environmental issues, particularly in regard to solid residues.

The official commended the commitment of the Angolan authorities to the preparation of this meeting, with emphasis on the "personal engagement" of the Environment minister, Fátima Jardim, and her taskforce.

On his turn, Amâro Segunda, administrator of Lobito Municipality, said that this city represents a model to follow in terms of environment. The First International Congress on Solid Residues is being attended by 18 countries.