Stakeholders attending the Monrovia City Corporation (MCC) two days Solid Waste conference have signed a resolution for a sustainable development of waste management support in Monrovia.The resolution was signed at the end of a two – day solid waste stakeholders conference.
The resolution among other things focuses on increasing national budgetary support for the management of waste in Monrovia, identifying revenue resources for waste and supporting the value chain for waste which includes recycling and reusing.
The resolution also calls for citizens’ action to support the waste sector, rally the local community to take responsibility of waste they produce and obligate the local business community to MCC’s waste management program.
Representatives from various groupings including key actors within the waste sector who affixed their signatures to the resolution say the document will drive MCC’s solid waste management plan in order to address the waste challenges the city is faced with.
City Mayor Jefferson T.Koijee declares waste management a “potential national security threat” which requires a head-on- approach. He says improper waste disposal is a national security threat which requires a set of holistic approaches anchored on firm community engagement.
He references the rapid spread of the 2014 outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus which he notes can be traced to the fundamental challenge of waste management in Monrovia and other areas.He vows that the City Government will not hesitate to implement or enforce the outcome of the stakeholder’s dialogue which seeks to promote a healthy, clean and green environment.
The Commissioner for Environment of Lagos, Nigeria, Dr. Babatunde Adejare told participants at the start of the conference Friday,“the fight against waste must be intensified not just Liberia, but across Africa”.“This will serve as a beginning of promoting a safe, clean, green and united Africa”, Dr. Adejare told the gathering.
He lauded the MCC for steps taken to solve improper waste disposal which according to him has become “a national embarrassment to the rest of Africa”.Montserrado County Superintendent Florence Brandy for her part cautioned communities to lead the campaign against garbage, stressing that improper waste disposal cannot be fought without citizens’ participation.
Meanwhile, the stakeholders’ conference targeted a review and update of current solid waste disposal mechanisms as well as brainstorm on best practices and effective strategies for the sanitary well-being of Monrovia and its people.
Stakeholders and institutions invited to participate in the two days conference shared their entities’ works, programs and support to solid waste management within the city limit of Monrovia.