LIBERIA: WaterAid meets PCC, other sanitation stakeholders
Group photo after the introductory meeting with Paynesville City Mayor
By: WASH R&E “Media Network” – As part of efforts to support Liberia’s strives for improved and sustained sanitation program in Montserrado County, specifically focusing on various municipalities, the British charity WaterAid Liberia/Sierra Leone has held an introductory meeting with the City Mayor of Paynesville and other stakeholders as it relates to sanitation.
Jeff Nyandibo of the National Waste Management Association of Liberia
The purpose of the meeting according to WaterAid Liberia/Sierra Leone Deputy Country Director, Chuchu Selma, was intended to strengthen coordination and cooperation in the implementation of a sanitation project, shortly to be officially launched Monrovia.
Paynesville City Mayor, Pam Belcher Taylor
Mr. Selma indicated that the project named and styled “Supporting Greater Monrovia for the Development of a Sustainable Municipality Solid Waste Strategy” is intended to put in place measures that will bring about sustained solid waste management program in various municipalities in Montserrado county.
The WaterAid Deputy Boss also disclosed that the project is intended to complement government’s efforts to improve the sanitary condition of Monrovia and environs.
Mr. Selma said the project will additionally seek to support a functioning and sustainable city wide management program.
Round Table Discussion during the meeting
He said the overall goal is to strengthen the effectiveness of the sector in planning, coordination and technical capacity to improve waste management in accordance with Monrovia Wide Master Plan for implementing solid waste services.
Mr. Selma said the meeting with the stake holders served as a platform to prepare for the project.
For her part, Paynesville City Mayor, Pam Belcher Taylor praised WaterAid Liberia/Sierra Leone for organizing such an important meeting.
Mayor Taylor described the meeting as a good start for partnership to ensure workable and sustainable efforts for improved sanitation in urban communities.
WaterAid Liberia:Sierra Leone Deputy Country Director, Chuchu Selma
She said there are lots of challenges facing the city of Paynesville ranging from the availability of equipment, a sustained program for sanitation and low budgetary allotment to address the sanitation crisis in Paynesville.
Mayor Taylor said the current quick fix approach to sanitation of the city is not providing a long-term solution to the problem.
She commanded WaterAid for organizing the meeting held at her office and called for collaborative effort to address the huge sanitation crisis in the municipality.
Also speaking during the meeting, the President of the National Waste Management Association of Liberia, Jefferson Nyandibo commended WaterAid for organizing the meeting bringing together stakeholders to strategize in establishing a sustainable frame work in the management of solid waste in various municipalities in Montserrado County.
Mr. Nyandibo noted that implementing a sustainable solid waste program is a herculean task that needs a long-term solution which requires the total involvement of the polluters as well.
He said the best way out of the huge sanitation challenges facing Montserrado county is the adaption of the polluter Pay System…those who pollute should pay for the pollution.
Mr. Nyandibo said no amount of budgetary allotment from national government can solve issues of sanitation in Liberia, because solid waste management is very expensive.
The Solid Waste Expert said public private partnership and the implementation of a sustainable frame work can help greatly in managing solid waste in these two municipalities.
