Also, the project is keen on promoting social marketing, community awareness and sensitization with the aim of behaviour change so that every waste producer takes responsibility of their waste generated, minimising indiscriminate littering of the environment, and to enhance the private sector involvement in waste management.
As a way of actualizing one of the objectives of the project, on Friday January 26, the Paramount Chief of Bombali Shebora Chiefdom PC Bai Shebora Kasanga performed the turning of the sod for the construction of the controlled waste disposal site at Makomp Doron village – situated some 13 kilometers from Makeni city. Giving the background and rationale of the groundbreaking, the Welthungerhilfe SLE 1048 Area Manager Makeni Alfred Maada Fobay said as part of the outcomes of the project, it is required to construct a well regulated controlled waste disposal site. He disclosed that the acquisition of the land at Makomp Doron was the collective effort of the Makeni City Council, traditional leaders and the project. He said the project has a participatory approach that brings all stakeholders in their operational areas onboard its works, as a means of fostering community ownership. Friday’s event was the start of the journey to the attainment of a controlled waste disposal site, and the paramount chief and other stakeholders graced the occasion to perform an official groundbreaking and pouring of libation to invoke the spirit of the gods and deceased forefathers for their blessing. He furthered by saying that, the ceremony was to create a platform for community leaders and other stakeholder to get updates on the construction work and basic operations and management of the facilities. He concluded his succinct speech by thanking all present for taking time off their busy schedules to honour the invitation and grace the occasion.
In his statement, the Chief Administrator of the Makeni City Council, William Alpha said that he is touched and highly elated for the day, noting that it is a red letter day in the history of waste management in Makeni city. He dilated that on the 21st of May 2014 they embarked on an intercity experience sharing in Bo that was climaxed by the signing of a MoU fostering partnership and cooperation under the leadership of His Worship the Mayor Harold Logie Tucker of Bo which was a significant visit. He said the presentation and visits on waste management were very thrilling, adding that it was after that touching visit that they challenged themselves to make Makeni the hub of waste management best practices in the country.
The Chief Administrator reiterated that the project cannot kick off the construction if the traditional and local authorities did not perform the groundbreaking and other traditional practices adding that the land owning families stand to benefit more especially the unskilled area and even after the construction. He said waste recycling has created lots of job opportunities for young people in other countries and that is why he is encouraging the young people of Makump to put more attention to the project and called on those present to relay the message to other young people who were not present at the ceremony.
In his keynote address Paramount Chief of Bombali Shebora Chiefdom Hon. P C Bai Shebora Kasanga II said that Mayor Sunkarie Kamara should be thanked even in absentia for her good work before calling on the people of Makeni to give their support to the Makeni City Council for their effort in seeking for development of the people of Makeni and its environs. The Honourable called on Welthungerhilfe to extend the waste management project to other district headquarters as waste is a challenge for all communities in the country. PC Kasanga assured the people of Makump Doron of their safety and security.
