By Kadijatu Bangura, Daily Scope Reporter
Freetown is taking significant strides towards enhancing urban cleanliness and public health as the Freetown City Council (FCC) has enlisted over 700 community engagement workers. This initiative aims to educate residents about newly enacted sanitation bye-laws designed to improve waste management across the city.
During the next two weeks, these workers will actively engage with the community to inform them of regulations that mandate households and institutions to register for waste collection services. Non-compliance could result in fines of SLE 5,000 or potential jail time.
A pivotal component of this outreach is the introduction of the “Dorti Mus Go” Sanitation Reporting Tool—a smart questionnaire that will assist community workers in collecting vital household data to tailor their engagement efforts. The outreach operations are strategically divided into zones, ensuring a more organized and impactful approach.
Mayor Yvonne Akie-Sawyerr emphasized the critical nature of effective waste management, stating, “Dirt causes illnesses, and a dirty city discourages tourists. We must act now.” She reflected on previous successes, including the introduction of waste collection tricycles, while acknowledging challenges such as inadequate infrastructure and land-use planning that complicate waste disposal.
The Mayor underscored the necessity of enforcing these bye-laws and called upon residents, service providers, and stakeholders to actively participate in sanitation reforms. “Together, we can transform Freetown into a cleaner, healthier city,” she asserted.
This initiative represents a significant leap towards fostering community involvement in urban sanitation and environmental sustainability. With a collaborative effort between residents and city officials, Freetown is poised to set a new benchmark in sanitation standards.
For more information, please contact Daily Scope Newspaper at dailyscopemedia@gmail.com.
