HELP-Gambia, a well-known registered Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) in the Gambia with local and international-based volunteers is committed to ‘Trash-Free’ Gambia by 75% in 2025. This commitment is being backed by their “Trash-Free” project, Operation 500 volunteers, a project held in four regions across the country and Farafenni is the recent beneficiary. 

Over 1,000 volunteers attended the cleansing exercise on Saturday 31 July 2021,with the Executive Director of National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA),Sanna Dahaba in Farafenni town.

Mr. Dahaba asserted that there is a need for collaboration to address the risk of severe floods which is as a result of poor waste management. To him, the enforcement and compliance of anti littering laws is a big challenge to the government. 

The NDMA Executive Director, called for a multi-stakeholder engagement for the compliance of the laws that would yield dividend in ensuring it’s effectiveness which will go a long way in addressing the environmental challenge that the government faced. He also applauded “HELP GAMBIA” for initiating the trash free project and as well intensifying the engagement of young people as frontline service providers. He assured his institution’s support in addressing climate change hazards.

According to Dawda Cham, the National Project Coordinator “HELP GAMBIA” they were inspired to implement the project in other regions by the impact of one of their activities held in Kanifing Municipality, thus decentralizing the project in metropolitan towns across the country.

Mr. Cham highlighted that, the concept is not about cleaning but it entails a component of advocacy and sensitizing as there is a greater need for attitudinal change which will maintain sustainability.

Cham calls on stakeholders and government agencies to come to their support in terms of funding and tools that will expedite their efficiency and quality work delivery. He expresses gratitude to Chaku Bantang Diaspora Network, Kerewan Area Council, NDMA, National Youth Council, volunteers and everyone who contributed towards the success of the event.

Mass Chatty, a Gambian based in the UK said, they are investing their remittances back home in order to prevent their communities from environmental hazards and he urged communities to Police the illegal dump sites and report any person caught dumping at the illegal sites.

Mass urged the local government to be at the forefront as it is their responsibility to ensure a clean community because a certain percentage of the tax paid to the council should be invested in the community.

The objective of the ‘Trash-Free’ project is to address the dilemma of indiscriminate waste dumping and poor waste management which pose serious environmental pollution and public health concerns within major towns in the Gambia.

The question which needs immediate answer is, after successfully implementing the project in four regions across the country, is the government willing to support and collaborate with ‘HELP GAMBIA’ as they continue to implement the project in other regions that are yet to benefit from?

 

By:Sainabou Jasseh 

Source: Alieu Jallow, Research Coordinator HELP Gambia.