BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

FIFTEEN beaches in Brunei are currently being assessed for safety and public and recreational services.

Visiting resort services manager of Torbay Council, Devon, in the United Kingdom Derek Singleton has been invited to Brunei to assess the quality of the Sultanate’s beaches by non-government organisation Beach Bunch.

The beaches selected for assessment are: Serasa, Muara, Meragang, Berakas, Tungku, Jerudong, Empire, Seri Kenangan, Penanjong, Telisai, Sg Liang, Lumut, Panaga, Seria and Kuala Belait.

The project is formally supported by the Ministry of Development and the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources, and funded by TOTAL E&P Borneo BV and the British High Commission.

Singleton will be giving recommendations for short-, medium- and long-term steps to improve the running and appearance of the country’s main beaches.

The results of his assessment will be presented on March 29.

The president of Beach Bunch, Rizan Latif, told The Brunei Times the beaches in Muara and Serasa would be the best candidates for “Blue Flag” accreditation. However he said the lack of beach operators and lifeguards could mar their chances.

The Blue Flag programme promotes sustainable development in freshwater and marine areas. To be awarded a Blue Flag, beaches must have the highest standards of water quality, environmental management, environmental education and safety.

Singleton was one of the speakers at Beach Bunch’s inaugural international conference last December. He has worked for local authorities for 25 years and is a member of the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health.

Singleton is involved in the national Cleaner Seas Forum and is chairman of the United Kingdom Beach Management Forum.

The Brunei Times