By Adama Makasuba
Mayor Ahmed Talib Bensouda has assured that the Kanifing Municipal Council is committed to redouble its efforts in working with the Ministry of Lands and Environment to close Bakoteh dumpsite.
Speaking at the launch of the180 million dalasi grant newly constructed KMC Complex, Mayor Bensouda highlighted the dangers of wastes as a threat which can spoil cities, and towns and ruin natural heritage.
“KMC will redouble its efforts to work with the Ministry of Lands, Environment and my colleagues’ Mayors in order to get a new land field side identified so we can finally close Bakoteh dumpsite,” he told the gathering.
“The project shall promote the environmental transformation and enhance resource efficiency of Kanifing Municipality by adopting the EU waste hierarchy with a clear focus on waste diversion towards a “Zero Waste” future by maximizing the recovery of “waste resources via recycling, composting renewable energy, and sustainable construction,” he said.
According to him, fires are not the only dangers to wastes but it damages cities, natural heritage and risk breeding mosquitoes for malaria.
However, he added: “KMC has secured this 180 million dalasis grant from the European Union Local Authorities’ partnership for sustainable cities 2021 financing mechanism. This grant is an investment in the citizens businesses and environment of Kanifing. I am very pleased to partnering with European Union who have been working side-by-side with my office.”
“Waste management is my priority as a Mayor. It affects all aspects of our lives, our health, our economy, the environment, quality of life, and the pride we can have in the places where we live and work.”
“Since I came into office – since this council has taken to office, we have managed to bring over D300 million in grant funding to KM,” Bensouda unveiled to the gathering.