Minister Lamina giving his keynote address before the cutting of the tape

D.O. Barracks, Koidu City, 29 March, 2021- The Minister of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD), Tamba John Sylvanus Lamina, has officially commissioned and handed over a Waste Management Department to the Koidu New Sembehun City Council (KNSCC).

The Waste Management Department comprised two administrate buildings, two dump trucks, one septic truck, and a controlled landfill site.

In his keynote address, Minister Lamina, explained that the 3.5 billion Leones Waste Management Department was a tripartite project funded by Welt Hunger Hilfe (WHH), the Department for International Development (DFID) and the Government of Sierra Leone. He added that he had always followed the development of the project since he turned sod at the administrative site and that he even paid a monitoring visit there during the construction period in order to show his commitment and support.

“I am delighted to commission this project because I believe in waste management. Most cities across the world are seriously challenged because they don’t prioritize waste management issues. As a result, their drainages are always blocked with waste during the rains, which in turn cause flooding. Diseases like malaria would always be prevalent in communities that fail to manage their waste products,” he said.

He implored the council to put strategies in place that would enhance the effectiveness of the facilities, and added that education and sensitization of how the facilities operate should be key in their engagement with the traders and residents of the city.

“I am calling on the Paramount Chiefs and other stakeholders to set up byelaws that would promote waste management drive in this city,” he reiterated.

He called on all and sundry to take ownership of the facilities and support the Council in its drive to keep Koidu City clean.

He expressed gratitude on behalf of the Government of Sierra Leone to WHH and DFID for always supporting developmental projects in Sierra Leone.

Minister Lamina cutting the tape that marked the official opening of the facility 

The event ended with the cutting of the tape and site visitation. Amongst other dignitaries present were the Mayor of the KNSCC, Country Director of WHH, and the Project Manager of WHH.

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Frederick V. Kanneh

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