German International Non-Governmental Organisation, Welthungerhilfe in collaboration with the Koidu New Sembehun City Council (KNSCC) has on Tuesday 23rd March 2021 launched the Klin Koidu Waste Collection Services in the Koidu Municipality.
The official launch fulfils a major package under the Improved Waste Management Activities in Cities Project funded by the Foreign Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO).
Speaking at the occasion, the Chief Administrator of the KNSCC, Francis Mishek Tiffa acknowledged the significant impact of the project in effectively managing Koidu’s waste in addition to building the capacities and providing employment for youth who would be undertaking door-to-ddor waste collection in the municipality.
“We are very proud of WHH and thankful for the project and all that has been achieved during this period of implementation by WHH,” Tiffa stated; adding “it would have been very difficult for the Council alone to undertake waste collection,disposal and management in Koidu.”
He urged the Youth to be diligent and committed as they undertake a challenging task of collecting waste from households within Koidu City; assuring that the Council would ensure the tremendous achievements of the project is sustainable by putting mechanisms in place to raise additional funds in keeping all components of the waste management ongoing “to make Koidu one of the cleanest cities in Sierra Leone.”
Environment and Social Officer of KNSCC, Nanah Jalloh-Conteh admonished the management of Klin Koidu Waste Collection Services not to disappoint their customers by ensuring their waste is collected on time.
“The people of Koidu are depending on you to provide an effective efficient waste collection service,” Nanah stated; stressing that she would be very vigilant in monitoring the work of the youth to ensure a very high standard is maintained in waste collection and disposal.
She emphasized that the waste collection trucks must not be misused to fetch sand but only domestic waste.
Thomas Okara, who heads the Improved Waste Management Activities in Cities Project in Koidu City in his statement, gave a detailed background to the project while also highlighting the achievements.
“This project first works with the Councils and employs the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model in addition to policies at the Governmental level. On waste collection, we have set up youth groups that would be door-to-door waste collection in the East and West of Koidu City,” Okara explained.
He advised the youth to ensure the Hino trucks are well maintained to last them much longer to undertake the business of waste collection for the “benefit of the people of Koidu.”
Sahr Gando, Chiefdom Speaker of Tankoro Chiefdom expressed appreciation to WHH for launching the waste collection scheme; disclosing that he had already registered for the service.
He urged the youth to be diligent in their task and take good care of the trucks as the chiefdom is in full support of their work.
Acting District Manager of the Environment Protection Agency (EPA), IbrahimTuray pledges his Agency’s support towards effective management of waste in the Koidu municipality.
“EPA sees WHH waste management as an environmentalprotection mitigation project and we are ready to work with you in accordance with laid down regulations,” Turay said.
The Mayor of Koidu City- Mathew Komba Sam in delivering the keynote address to officially launch the Klin Koidu Waste Collection Services, thanked WHH for supporting his Council and the people of Koidu in integrated waste management and job creation for youth who have also acquired life skills.
Mayor Komba Sam recalled how he attracted WHH to operate in Kono District even before he was inaugurated as Mayor of the city.
He noted that the entire process of selecting youth to undertake the waste collection was fair, transparent, and devoid of politics “because these youth would be serving the people of Koidu City and not a political party.”
He added that this is a “litmus test for the youth of Kono District to prove that they can succeed in whatever venture they chose to undertake.”
The Koidu Mayor reminded the youth to ensure the Hino trucks are well kept and used only for waste collection in the municipality.
“We would be watching you everything you do to make sure this project is sustainable,” he maintained.
Aruna Bundu, Chairperson of Klin Koidu East assured the people of the Koidu municipality that “we would not fail you but would ensure you get the best service from the comfort of your homes in terms of domestic waste collection.”
A Road Show led by the Koidu Mayoraimed at further promoting thisnovel domestic waste collection service formed a significant highlight after the official launch.
The Improved Waste Management Activities in Cities project has also been successfully implemented by Welthungerhilfe in Bo, Makeni and Kenema Cities also with funding from the British people through the Department for International Development (DFID) now Foreign Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO).
By Tamba Borbor
Public Relations Officer,
Welthungerhilfe SLE 1048 Project
