Monrovia – Between November 2018 and now, the World Bank’s Cheesemanburg Landfill Urban Sanitation project has handed more than eight large tipper trucks, three Front-End-Loaders, four Toyota Hilux Pick-Ups, six tricycles, five skip trucks, and four motorbikes in support toward improving solid waste collection and disposal in Greater Monrovia.
Theodorus Kaspers, Head of Cooperation at the European Union Delegation in Liberia, speaking at the ceremony marking the handover of a new batch of solid waste collection equipment at the Monrovia City Hall, said he was confident that the equipment and the additional support the project provides, both Monrovia and Paynesville cities should now be able to manage the waste flows in Monrovia and Paynesville sustainability, effectively and in a timely manner. “I understand that the Government will also make the running costs available to allow for the cities to be clean. A perfect case of the three parties involved working together,” Mr. Kaspers said.
The EU contributes a total of 60 million euro (approximately 67million US dollar) to the Liberia Reconstruction Trust Fund. “This money has been used by the World Bank to construct roads and build the necessary infrastructure for waste management including the landfill in Whein Town and the foreseen landfill in Cheesemanburg,” Kaspers stated.
In the past months, he said both cities have also been strongly engaged in the EU-funded Waste-to-Energy project and supported Cities Alliance in identifying the locations for 10 pilot biogas units at household level. Although a lot remains to be done, I see that both cities are striving to better manage the waste and create a cleaner living environment.
Kaspers said small enterprises in Monrovia and Paynesville have experimented with recycling, composting and other revalorization efforts, but have failed to become economically viable and environmentally sustainable. “I encourage the cities of Liberia in conjunction with the Government of Liberia to create an enabling environment for the private sector to step in and take over their waste management and to work closely with relevant government agencies to ensure that highest possible environmental standards are enforced.”
He said he hopes to see the government make use of the EU’s additional support to recycling and composting initiatives in the city of Paynesville and Monrovia through a climate change resilient solid waste management implemented by Cities Alliance. “I strongly hope that we can report back to the citizens of Europe that their support has been fruitful and sustainable.”
World Bank Intervention
Additionally, the Bank through its country manager, Khwinma Nthara spoke of similar donations to the cities, intended to enhance its work, specifically its Solid Waste Management department in maintaining a clean, green, and safe city.
Mr. Nthara said the World Bank believes in the ability of Mayor Jefferson T. Koijee and will continue to work with him to ensure that Monrovia is clean.
According to the World Bank Country Manager, this equipment will reduce the challenges the City Government encountered in keeping Monrovia clean, green and safe.
Receiving the vehicles, Monrovia City Mayor Jefferson T. Koijee lauded the World Bank for the donation
He said the World Bank remains a strong partner to the Weah led administration evidenced by its continuous financial and logistical support to the pro-poor agenda.
Mayor Koijee noted that the government will continue to work with the World Bank and other organizations to improve the living conditions of Liberians.
The Solid waste management Department envisions a clean and healthy city of Monrovia where waste generated responsibly are collected, processed and disposed of in a sustainable and healthy manner, enhancing the quality of life of the people.
The Department takes lead in ensuring sustainable management of solid waste in the city of Monrovia. It also promotes and safeguards the public health of the city through street cleaning; collection, transfer, processing of garbage; promotion of waste reduction, reuse and recycling of solid waste and safe composting and disposal of solid waste and other substances that cause environmental nuisances and health hazards.
The CLUS project is implemented by the project implementation Unit (PIU) at the Monrovia City Cooperation (MCC). The project endeavors to strengthen the solid waste management sector of Monrovia which is acquiring greater importance within the Government of Liberia ( GOL)’s development agenda. The GOL’S Medium Team Economic Growth and Development Strategy (2013-2017) aims, among others, to increase access to sanitation and reduce the disposal of solid waste.
The CLUS project with finding from the Liberia Reconstruction Trust Fund (LRTF) through the World Bank (WB) is designed as an urban development project with solid waste as an entry point.
Mayor Koijee on behalf of the City Government also presented two modern Renault Van to its Revenue Department to enhance the city revenue Generation.