Improper garbage disposal is gradually becoming a way of life for bulk of the population residing, mainly in the urban areas of the country.
The City of Monrovia and the Commercial District of Paynesville have been heavily challenged with the issue of improper garbage disposal by the citizens.
Despite interventions by the city corporations with support from partners, the situation seems to be far from being mitigated, owing to the mindset of the current generation now residing in the cities, following the civil crisis in the country.
The heavy task of garbage collection and disposal is being impeded by the growing population of the city with individuals, mainly marketers, neglecting their obligation of helping to maintain the cleanliness of the cities, but instead throw garbage in the streets, terming it as government’s responsibility.
Indeed, the practice has created serious environmental concerns and now becoming an issue of discussion in the diplomatic circle, in recent time.
Many people in slum communities don’t really care who are responsible to solve the problem, as they continue to throw solid waste anywhere, thus leading to poor sanitary condition of the environment.
US Ambassador, Michael McCarthy’s recent piece reflects donors’ frustration that for years, tens of millions of dollars in funding is yet to translate into functional waste removal service program.
An EU funded project, help Cities Alliance loan of US three- hundred-thousand, was approved to nineteen community business enterprises and two private businesses, to build a business that collects solid wastes from households and businesses in Monrovia.
This effort is yet to impact the community, due to citizen’s reported refusal to pay for garbage collection.
Council taxes for public services, such as WASH, are standard in other countries, but the people of Monrovia have been resistant to paying, on grounds that they cannot afford to do so, while they struggle to feed themselves.
Others shift the blame on the lack of disposal sites for Community- Based Enterprises to dump the trash after collection.
Nevertheless, solid waste management should be both the responsibility of city government and the citizenry, as it is often said, cleanliness is next to Godliness.
That is why we say stop the improper garbage disposal…help maintain a safe and clean environment, as the contrary poses serious health hazard to the citizenry.
As government strives to make the necessary interventions on solid waste management, it is our hope that Liberians will demonstrate a high degree of patriotism by properly disposing of solid waste.
Let us emulate the good people of the East Central African Republic, Rwanda, in keeping our cities safe and clean.
By: Victor D. Kezelee Sr.