Liberia’s Urban Sanitation Crisis: Urgent Demands for Reform Amidst Mounting Challenges”

MONROVIA- In various Liberian cities, unsanitary conditions resulting from improper waste management have become a pervasive issue. The absence of effective waste disposal and limited enforcement of environmental sanitation laws have compounded this problem. This article sheds light on the challenges faced by local authorities in addressing this critical issue and highlights the need for collective action to promote cleaner, healthier communities.

Thelma Cooper is a petit trader; she is appealing to the government of Liberia to provide logistics to the Kakata City Cooperation to enhance their work- Photo- Siaway T. Miapue

Waste Accumulation in Kakata:
Thelma Cooper’s daily struggle with the stench emanating from a nearby garbage pile is emblematic of the issues faced in Kakata City. The unsanitary conditions, primarily caused by waste accumulation from households, markets, and clinics, pose a severe health risk. As a result, local business owners like Madam Cooper are left with no choice but to endure these conditions, affecting their livelihoods.

 “No way to eat, no way to sit down. When customers come, they complain about the filthiness and leave. We are also getting sick from the dirt… we are just begging the government to bring truck to throw the dirt from here. We are getting sick from this dirt business,” Cooper said.

Environmental Sanitation Legislation:
Liberia has enacted legislation, including the Public Health Law, Part III Environmental Sanitation, to regulate waste disposal. However, the effective implementation of these laws is hindered by limited support for local authorities, including mayors, councils, and law enforcement officers. This has allowed improper waste disposal to persist, marring the streets of major cities.

Challenges in Enforcement:
Enforcing waste disposal regulations presents several challenges for local authorities. Limited resources, including manpower and logistical support, hinder their efforts. Kakata City Mayor revealed to K-NEWS that Violations often occur during late hours when manpower is scarce, making it difficult to apprehend culprits. Additionally, interventions from government officials, family members, and friends frequently lead to the release of violators without penalties.

 “The unfortunate part of it I, the City Mayor have not been fortunate to arrest anybody that are doing these acts. These things are not done in the day. They do it by 12 midnight, 1 – 2’oclock AM. That is the time these guys do these things and I don’t have the require manpower (city police) to be able to curtail these problems,” Mr. Goll said.

Appeals for Government Action:
Local traders like Thelma Cooper and Mammie Gboto appeal to the Liberian government for immediate intervention. They highlight the adverse effects on their businesses and overall health due to the unattended waste issue. Their pleas underscore the urgent need for logistical support to address this crisis.

 “The business am making, I am embarrass… no way for me to sit and sell, each day we come here to search for our daily bread, the bad smell from the dirt is disturbing and making us sick,” Mammie Gboto said.

Like Kakata, Ganta City also struggles with logistical challenges in waste collection, contributing to the buildup of waste in the streets.

Mayor Amos N.G Suah highlights that although environmental sanitation laws exist, their enforcement is hindered by the compassion shown towards violators. Government officials, family members, and friends frequently intervene when violators are apprehended, often leading to their release without fines. “The law is in the book, but because of the way we live in our society, it is difficult to implement the law fully. Liberians have sympathy for one another and the moment you begin to enforce the law, you will see people calling from all over to pardon them… But we have been finning violators and punishing some of them”.

Community Initiative in Paynesville:
In Paynesville, residents like Freeman Zerlee have taken matters into their own hands by organizing community initiatives for waste management. They recognize the health hazards posed by improper waste disposal and have initiated efforts to clean their environment. However, they stress the importance of community-wide support.

 “Since I moved in this community in 2018, we have been experiencing this situation, but in Liberia, we just need to join together and do work, sometimes, we can put some of our boys together and park these dirt and take it to the dumpsite because in the night, we continue to experience the increase in mosquitoes and people continue to get sick from these dirt,” Zerlee said.

The Importance of Behavior Change:
Jeremiah Diggen of the Paynesville City Cooperation (PCC) emphasizes the importance of awareness and behavior change. While fines have been imposed on violators, he believes that education and communication are key to transforming citizens’ attitudes toward waste disposal. Encouraging individuals to take responsibility for their environment is crucial.

“We have been fining violators of the environmental law, but I think what we need to do right now is to keep talking, and we are appealing to the media to help us so that we can be able to create more awareness about the importance of keeping your environment clean, about the importance of having a clean city, but the law is there and we keep arresting people every day but it is just about talking with them so they can be able to change,” Jeremiah Diggen said.

A Holistic Approach
Environmental experts and activists call for a holistic approach to tackle Liberia’s waste management challenges. They stress the need for greater support, education, and awareness campaigns to promote proper waste disposal practices and maintain cleaner environments. Youth-led organizations, like Youth Go Green Network (YUGNET Liberia), are urged to work closely with communities to drive behavior change.

 “The national government need to work with young-led organizations involved with climate change among others to work with their communities and inform them about the effect of keeping the environment filthy and how a change in behavior can help achieve that,” Amb. Wedrdiagar said.

The unsanitary conditions prevailing in Liberian cities demand immediate attention and collective action. Adequate support for local authorities, coupled with education and awareness initiatives, can pave the way for cleaner, healthier communities. It is crucial for government, local organizations, and citizens to come together to address these challenges and create a brighter, cleaner future for Liberia.