Government agencies consolidate efforts to keep cities clean

Garbage collection and city ordinances have been major challenges for many cities across Liberia, mainly in the capital, Monrovia. Several State agencies are now seeking to collaborate to keep the cities clean.

By Emmanuel wise Jipoh 

Monrovia, March 27, 2024: Several government agencies are partnering with local government organs to keep cities across Liberia clean.

The partnership includes the Ministry of Public Works (MPW), Monrovia City Corporation (MCC), the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation (LWSC), and the Liberia National Police (LNP), among other line ministries and agencies.

They have launched an Inter-Governmental Agency City-Cleaning Taskforce to complement the government’s efforts to keep cities clean.

Public Works Minister Roland Layfette Giddings stressed during a press conference on Tuesday, 26 March 2024, that keeping cities clean is the government’s priority as part of its ARREST Agenda.

Minister Giddings disclosed that the Inter-Governmental Agencies City-Cleaning Taskforce will be keen on joining a consolidated effort to clean Monrovia and other cities in the country. 

He said the launch of the Taskforce was part of enhancing sanitation, outlining a plan to keep the city clean and green.

For his part, Monrovia City Corporation (MCC) Mayor John Charuk Siafa highlighted the need for continuous engagements and persistent efforts to ensure the city is clean. 

Mayor Siafa stressed the collective need for communities’ participation in keeping the streets, cities, and other urban areas clean.

He said the Inter-Governmental Agencies City-Cleaning Taskforce will seek everyone’s cooperation in keeping the city clean.

Mayor Siafa rallied the citizenry and urged the press to educate the public on waste management in Monrovia and its environs to support the task force’s efforts to make Liberia clean.

Mayor Siafa explained that the formulation and subsequent implementation of regulations are not what he would call “a quick exercise.” Rather, the task force is committed to ensuring that its goals are achieved, beginning with community deployment teams.

Siafa said the City Government is working on policies with street vendors, marketers, and pity traders, intending to adopt a more- practical approach policy to give the city a facelift.

Also speaking, Liberia National Police (LNP) Deputy Chief of Public Safety, Mr. John M. Saah, reaffirmed the police’s commitment to ensuring the enforcement of the law to keep the city clean.