4 Mins Read
By: Christiana Mabande
Margibi-Amidst an already struggling health system officials are worrying about the rising level of pollution especially in metropolitan areas due to an uncontrolled waste management system. Almost every street corner across Liberia’s capital is engulfed by enormous heaps of dirt, resulting in detrimental health effects for the locals.
“More than seven communities within the Charlesville Township and adjacent Public settlements surrounding Firestone are seen as completely deplorable as the result of poor sanitary care,” sanitation inspector of District Two Lower Margibi, Jerry Mulbah said.
In 2022, Liberia scored 22.6 on the Environmental Performance Index (EPI) making it the worst nation in Africa. Liberia was ranked as one of the world’s most giant electronic trash dumps and one of the most contaminated regions, with subsequent cities’ governments taking limited steps.
For instance, in 2023, the government was compelled to halt the renewal of certificates to community-based enterprises (CBEs) due to the lack of transfer stations and or landfills, for dumping purposes while it arranged adequate land for that reason, but none sums up as the problem continues to persist.
“There is a need of growing consensus among stakeholders, such as government, non-governmental agencies, and community dwellers, to work together to address the environmental and health effects of solid waste. Mulbah said, “National Government through the Environmental Protection Agency to complement their efforts through the provision of mobility and other basic working equipment for smooth operation.”
According to him, they lack the tools to effectively conduct regular cleanup exercises The sanitation inspector disclosed the absence of garbage bins and essential sanitary working tools such as whippers, cutlasses, shovels, wheelbarrows, gloves, tricycles, and nose masks as things needed to effectively conduct cleanup exercises in District #2, Margibi.
The suspension of certificates makes it impossible for CBE operations in urban and rural cities which is having a greater impact on the locals who say they are now forced to bury their dirt or pay disadvantaged youth (zogos) to throw it away.
“I can bury my dirt, but sometimes when the Zogos pass I call them and give them small things then they carry my dirt and throw it away. Miatta Flomo said, “The male can’t come around with his car this time to take our dirt so everybody here can bury or burn their dirt.”
Siatta Kerkulah is against the poor disposal of solid waste and calls for the arrest of anyone throwing dirt outside of the environmental and city ordinance law as the only way to reduce the situation.
Kerkulah says the reckless garbage dumping around the community affects them in the area. She mentioned the increase in mosquitoes and rats in their homes, which cause lots of illnesses for the community residents. Patricia wants the government to arrest violators and impose considerable fines to discourage unhealthy solid waste disposal practices.
In Liberia, rapid urbanization has led to increased pollution issues, such as municipal waste management policy and inadequate sanitation coverage. The UNDP report (2015) highlights the need for solutions to reduce waste volume in urban areas due to population growth, industry concentration, consumption, and inadequate facilities. Uncertainty problems in waste management systems can be addressed using fuzzy, stochastic, and interval programming techniques.
The findings reveal that the current state of solid waste management in Margibi County is poor, with inadequate waste collection, disposal, and treatment facilities. The waste collection system is largely informal, with waste collectors using pushcarts and wheelbarrows to collect waste from households and businesses.
“As part of the companies’ social corporate responsibilities, it is important for them to contribute to sanitation and hygiene initiatives for the wellbeing of the people. Jerry Mulbah said, “That’s why we are appealing to concession companies to buttress our effort because we cannot do it alone.”
This story was produced under the Female Journalists Association of Liberia (FeJAL) Mentorship Program. Funding was provided by USAID through Internews, under Year 3 of its Media Activity Program.