A high-level delegation from the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs, led by Minister Mr. Tamba Lamina, conducted an important visit to the Koidu New Sembehun City Council dumpsite in Boroma, a dumpsite constructed by Welthungerhilfe with funding from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.
This visit is part of a broader initiative to address and improve solid waste management practices in rural metropolitan cities across Sierra Leone.
With a growing focus on ensuring that urban and rural areas alike are equipped with sustainable waste management systems, this inspection marks a significant step in the Ministry’s efforts to ensure the proper functioning and maintenance of such facilities.
During his visit, Minister Lamina reflected on the commissioning of the facility over five years ago, acknowledging the progress that had been made but also emphasizing the need for continued oversight and management.
He pointed out that the Koidu City Council must take greater ownership of the dumpsite to ensure that it remains clean and efficiently managed. Minister Lamina also expressed his concerns over certain parts of the facility, which had been damaged and vandalized by unknown individuals. He underscored that such acts of vandalism hinder the effective operation of the site and should be addressed as a matter of urgency. “I will surmmon a meeting with all the stakeholders in Koidu and discuss a new approach to managing this facility for the better “Minster Lamina promised.
On his part, Deputy Minister of Local Government and Community Affairs, Mr. Alfred Jamiru, led a separate visit to the Kenema City dumpsite in Tiloma. He was accompanied by the Director of Local Government Brima Newman Combay, Section Chiefs, Paramount Chiefs, and representatives from local trade unions. Their visit aimed to further evaluate the state of waste management in the region and to assess the impact of previous efforts. “WHH’s intervention in Waste Mangement has been huge over the years and we will give them the required political support to ensure they get more funding to continue their good work” Minster Jamiru assured.
Upon arrival at the Kenema site, Mr. Thomas Foray, Head of the Waste Management Project at WHH, gave the delegation a detailed tour of the facility.
During the tour, he explained the various structures within the facility and their specific functions in waste management operations. Mr. Foray also highlighted that the project was made possible through funding from the German government’s BMZ initiative, and that the project had now entered its second phase.
In his remarks, Deputy Minister Jamiru expressed his appreciation for WHH’s continuous support and collaboration with the Sierra Leone government and local authorities. He commended WHH for its significant role in supporting waste management initiatives across the country, particularly in urban centers like Kenema and Koidu. Mr. Jamiru highlighted how essential such partnerships were to improving the waste management infrastructure, ensuring the health and well-being of citizens, and enhancing the overall environmental quality of the cities.
Furthermore, Mr. Jamiru assured the gathered stakeholders that he would make frequent visits to the site to monitor its condition and ensure that it remained in optimal working order. He encouraged the local chiefs, city councils, and district leaders to take more proactive roles in managing and maintaining the facility, rather than relying solely on the Waste Management team of the City Council to handle everything. By taking a collaborative approach, he believes the local communities can make a lasting impact on the sustainability of waste management systems in the area.
The Director of Local Government, Mr. Brima Combey also added his insights, emphasizing the tremendous opportunities within the field of waste management. He shared his experiences from other countries where similar initiatives had yielded positive results, expressing his confidence that Sierra Leone could replicate such successes. The Director explained that “waste management should not only be viewed as a local issue but as an area with significant economic potential, offering job creation and other benefits”.
In light of this, Minister Lamina and the Director took immediate action by setting up a task force that included the Deputy Minister, section chiefs, town chiefs, local councilors, district council members, and other relevant stakeholders. The task force was charged with the responsibility of agreeing on a date for a collaborative cleaning exercise at the site, aimed at restoring the facility to its full operational capacity.
Following the on-site visits, a radio simulcast program was organized to further engage the people of Kenema and raise awareness about the importance of proper waste disposal. During the program, the Deputy Minister, alongside other stakeholders, discussed critical topics such as waste segregation, proper disposal practices, and the importance of paying taxes to support the local councils. This public awareness campaign is seen as a key part of encouraging responsible waste management habits within communities and ensuring that people are educated on how to maintain a cleaner environment.
On behalf of WHH Sierra Leone’s Country Director, Mr. Santigie Kanu, the Area Manager for WHH Southeast, expressed sincere gratitude to Minister Lamina and his delegation for their visit and their ongoing support for the work that WHH has been doing in collaboration with local councils. He acknowledged the efforts of all involved in improving waste management systems and reiterated WHH’s commitment to working closely with the government to achieve the planned programs. Mr. Kanu also thanked local authorities for their continued support and active participation in WHH activities, emphasizing the importance of partnership and cooperation in addressing waste management challenges across the country.
