By Amin Kef (Ranger)
The Freetown City Council (FCC), the Sierra Leone Police, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs have announced a series of measures aimed at addressing the persistent sanitation challenges facing the capital city, including the full enforcement of the Freetown City Council Solid and Liquid Waste Collection By-Laws 2024.
The updates were provided during the Government Weekly Press Conference held on Tuesday, 16 June 2026, at the Miatta Civic Centre in Freetown, where officials outlined ongoing efforts to improve waste management, strengthen environmental protection and promote responsible civic behavior across the municipality.
Speaking at the briefing, Deputy Mayor of the Freetown City Council, Kweku Melvin Lisk Esq., disclosed that the Council has developed a comprehensive legal framework to effectively manage solid and liquid waste within the city. He announced that the by-laws would now be fully enforced throughout Freetown to ensure compliance and improve sanitation standards.
Under the regulations, every household is required to register with an approved waste collection service provider. Failure to comply, he warned, constitutes an offence punishable by a fine of up to NLe5, 000.
Kweku Melvin Lisk Esq stressed that while Government and development partners continue to invest heavily in sanitation infrastructure and waste management services, meaningful progress will only be achieved when residents take greater responsibility for their surroundings.
He noted that poor sanitation in Freetown is largely driven by irresponsible waste disposal habits and a widespread perception that waste management is solely the responsibility of Government authorities.
“It is largely an issue of attitude because many people have become complacent about how they dispose of waste, particularly liquid waste,” he stated.
According to the Deputy Mayor, improper disposal of waste contributes significantly to environmental degradation, flooding, disease outbreaks and deteriorating living conditions across the city. He emphasized that sanitation should no longer be treated casually, warning that indiscriminate dumping of waste is now a punishable offence under the new regulations.
A major component of the by-laws focuses on liquid waste management. Kweku Melvin Lisk Esq explained that many communities, particularly in hillside areas, lack adequate sewage and septic disposal systems, leading to wastewater being discharged into drains and waterways. He said that practice contributes directly to flooding and environmental pollution, especially during the rainy season.
To improve waste collection and monitoring, the FCC has divided the city into operational zones and assigned designated service providers to each area. He also highlighted the importance of proper waste segregation, particularly for hazardous and medical waste, noting the serious health risks faced by individuals who search through dumpsites for recyclable materials.
Environment and Sanitation Officer at the FCC, Marian Tucker, informed the public that the Council has intensified public sensitization efforts through community engagements, town hall meetings and information campaigns. She revealed that Freetown has been divided into eight operational blocks stretching from Orugu to Levuma, with each block assigned to a specific waste collection service provider.
Madam Marian Tucker further disclosed that waste collection fees have been structured to remain affordable, ranging from NLe15 for a 50-kilogram container to NLe25 for a 100-kilogram container, in a bid to encourage compliance and improve sanitation services.
The Deputy Inspector General of Police, Sahr Yomba Senesie, reaffirmed the Sierra Leone Police’s commitment to supporting the enforcement of the waste management by-laws. Representing the Inspector General of Police, he stated that community engagement and public education campaigns would precede full enforcement to ensure residents understand the provisions of the law.
He warned, however, that once enforcement begins, offenders could face arrests, prosecutions or fines for non-compliance.
Sahr Yomba Senesie highlighted ongoing collaboration between the Police, FCC, Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority (SLRSA) and other institutions through a multi-agency task force established by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. He explained that the task force has been addressing illegal occupation of road reserves, pedestrian walkways and public spaces, which often create safety hazards and contribute to disorder within the city.
The Deputy Inspector General also revealed that authorities have begun demolishing makeshift structures erected along road reserves and rights of way as part of efforts to restore order and improve public safety.
Addressing broader law enforcement concerns, he reiterated the Police Force’s zero-tolerance policy on corruption and misconduct while also emphasizing the importance of regulating commercial motorbike operations, enforcing road safety regulations and addressing growing concerns about noise pollution across the capital.
Minister of Internal Affairs, AIG (Rtd.) Morie Lengor Esq., disclosed that Government has established a multi-agency task force to tackle illegal street trading, unauthorized commercial transport activities, noise pollution and other forms of indiscipline affecting Freetown.
According to the Minister, restoring law and order remains essential to positioning Freetown as an attractive destination for tourism, investment and economic growth. He noted that the task force is working closely with local authorities to relocate traders from unauthorized locations and ensure activities are conducted in designated areas.
The Deputy Minister of Local Government and Community Affairs, Alfred Jamiru, attributed many of the city’s waste management challenges to low public participation in waste collection services and the increasing use of plastic materials.
He urged residents to subscribe to registered waste collection providers and avoid dumping refuse into gutters, drains and public spaces. Alfred Jamiru also revealed that the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs, the Sierra Leone Police and the FCC have signed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at strengthening collaboration and improving waste management across the city.
The officials unanimously emphasized that while enforcement measures are necessary, achieving a cleaner, safer and healthier Freetown ultimately depends on behavioural change, civic responsibility and the active participation of residents in maintaining their environment.
