IPNews-Monrovia-Liberia-18 November 2018: Stakeholders who attended the Monrovia City Corporation two days Solid Waste conference have signed a resolution for a sustainable development of waste management support in Monrovia.
The resolution amongst other things focused 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 include 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 said the document will drive MCC’s solid waste management plan in order to address the waste challenges the city is faced with.
The Monrovia City Corporation is currently faced with huge financial and logistical constrains which often make it difficult in tackling the dangling waste problems within its municipality.
Mayor Jefferson T.Koijee speaking at the opening of the conference declared waste management a “potential national security threat” which requires a head-on- approach.
The Mayor of the City of Monrovia said improper waste disposal is a national security threat which requires a set of holistic approaches anchored on firm community engagement.
The Mayor referenced the rapid spread of the 2014 outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus which he noted, can be traced to the fundamentally challenge of waste management in Monrovia and other areas.
Koijee pointed that no other time is better than now for stakeholders in communities, the environment and waste management sectors to develop and derive a sustainable plan to address the menace.
According to Mayor Koijee, the citizens of Monrovia and surrounding areas must dialogue derive at a lasting solution by which all can proudly boast of their capital city.
He vowed that the City government will not hesitate to implement or enforce the outcome of the stakeholders dialogue which seeks to promote a healthy, clean and green environment.
The Mayor spoke Friday when the Monrovia City Corporation formally opened a two day Waste Management Conference in the theater of the city hall.
Held under the theme: “Building Synergy and Partnership for a Sustainable Approach towards Solid Waste Management”, the two days conference brought together stakeholders who developed a concerted plan that can serve as a long term solution to solid waste management.
The conference brought together stakeholders including donors within the waste management sector who are rallying the needed expertise, logistics, and resources to help the MCC address solid waste disposal.
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 through its Mayor-Jefferson Koijee for steps taking 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.
She pledged Montserrado County’s continuous support to working with her cities and townships to ensure cleanliness.
The Monrovia City Corporation has repeatedly noted that problem of solid waste/garbage management if not handled with care could soon become a national threat.
The MCC wants commitment of all community dwellers as it anticipates to make Monrovia one of the cleanest cities in Africa, in line with acceptable environmental practices and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
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.
Promoting a clean, green and safe city in Monrovia is key to the CDC government’s “Pro-Poor Agenda” and an utmost commitment of the Monrovia City Government under the leadership of Mayor Jefferson T. Koijee.
