Ouagadougou: The Ministry of Environment, Water and Sanitation awarded 152 medals last Friday in Ouagadougou to deserving workers of the department for service rendered to the nation, it was noted.After several years of loyal service rendered to the nation to protect the environment, the supervisory department recognized their merits. In the national orders, 10 medals of the Order of the Stallion and 17 in the Burkinabè Order of Merit were awarded. In the Order of Merit for Rural Development, 40 agents received their medal with environmental clasp, 25 with Water and Sanitation clasp and 60 with the Medal of Honor for Water and Forests.'The decorations reflect the recognition of the merit of workers, on the basis of criteria which are intended to be objective. I would therefore like to congratulate all those who were decorated this afternoon and invite others to redouble their self-sacrifice, ardor and dedication to their work. It is at the cost of this merit of exemplary agents on a daily basis that the r ecognition of the nation will be awarded to you,' declared the Minister in charge of the environment Roger Baro.Chief Warrant Officer of Water and Forests Compaoré Yembi, new recipient, 'this medal represents my entire career. Because after having served 34 years I have just received this gem and it is well deserved. I thank all my hierarchy who honored me this evening.'He says he dedicates his medal 'to my family because they are the ones who always bring a smile to my face. I am in the countryside and the family is far from me. I also dedicate this medal to my superiors and colleagues.'Chief Warrant Officer Compaoré urges the young generation 'to work with enthusiasm and the rage to win because saving the environment is a very delicate mission. It takes a lot of courage and perseverance. I therefore ask my little brothers who have not yet had this decoration to work hard.'Water and Forests Inspector David Saba gave 'thanks to God for the health he has granted us. This medal crowns my entire career. I would like to thank God and the highest authorities of Burkina Faso for granting me this medal.'For this ceremony, 116 were decorated, given that 15 received their distinctions during National Arbor Day and 21 distinguished in their respective administrative regions on the occasion of the commemoration of December 11 organized for this purpose.The ceremony was chaired by the Minister in charge of the environment Roger Baro, accompanied by two of his colleagues, the Minister of Defense Kassoum Coulibaly and the Minister of Town Planning and Housing Mikaïlou Sidibé. Source: Burkina Information Agency