“Government, past and present have grappled with the myriad of socio-economic and political problems of waste management. The streets of the three cities continue to be littered with unmanageable waste, hence adding to the health hazards in the cities” he lamented. While thanking the United Kingdom’s Department for Development (DFID), for their timely intervention  in providing funds for tackling what he referred to as ‘one of the major challenges facing the country’,  Mr. KaiKai said his ministry is opened to positive initiatives and welcomes donors assistance that will transform cities in the country through an effective and efficient waste management system. He stressed the importance and economic value of waste if properly harnessed and urged youths of the three cities to look at waste as an avenue for income generation and employment. He assured the donors that his ministry will monitor and evaluate the progress of the project and entreated the beneficiaries to make the best use of the opportunity. The Mayor of Makeni City, Madam Sunkarie Kabba Kamara gave a brief historical sketch of Waste Management in her city, citing an experience sharing visit to Bo City in 2014 that was climaxed by the signing of an M.O.U. She thanked all those who in diverse ways helped promote their cause and encouraged her colleagues in other councils to push strongly for a waste management project that will help them improve the health related disease associated with filth. Mayor of Bo, Harold Tucker described waste management as one of the most neglected, diverse and complicated sector in society and urged all to rise to the challenge and develop innovative ideas that would address the situation. The Mayor of Kenema Joseph Kelfala spoke of strides taken by his administration to address issues relating to waste management amidst huge challenges. He assured all that Kenema will soon catch up with Bo and Makeni cities as far as waste management is concerned. He thanked Welt hungerhilfe for their support and appealed to other donor partners for more. Welcoming guests earlier, the Paramount Chief Bai Sheborah Kasanga, recalled days when the district was grappling with the problems of sourcing funds and providing resources needed to address waste management and thanked the donors for their intervention. The Senior Programme Manager, DFID, Sierra Leone, Ross Hilton said success of the project depends on the commitment of everyone as there is no easy solution to the handling of waste. DFID, he said agreed to roll out the project because of the success made by Bo city in the implementation of the project and pledged his organisation’s continued support.  The Country Director, Welthungerhilfe, Ursula Langvamp pledged her organisation’s desire to improve waste management in their areas of intervention. She said the project will be challenging, given its complexities and volume of activities and called on all stakeholders to do their utmost in ensuring the project succeeds. Chairman of the occasion, Alhassan Kanu who is also  Director of Decentralisation Secretariat,  described the project as a great initiative that does not only have environmental health and sanitation ramifications but also has the propensity for wealth creation and proliferation of jobs especially for youths. The ceremony which was climaxed by the signing of communiqué and presentation of certificates to Waste Enumerators also heard statements from representative of the Office of the Chief of Staff, Ministry of Health, Environmental Protection Agency and Local Government Finance Department.