By Arret Jatta
The Kanifing Environmental Transformation Program (KEPT) has reinforced KMC’s waste management capabilities by donating 700 waste bins, two waste trucks, five motorcycles, one tricycle and two lawnmowers to the council on Thursday.
Speaking at a ceremony organized to deliver the items, the Mayor of Kanifing Municipality, Talib Ahmad Bensonda, said waste management has always been a challenge in The Gambia, especially in the KanifingMunicipality.
“The Kanifing Municipality is the most densely-populated region in the country. Therefore, the amount of waste generated [in the municipality] is the highest in The Gambia, which poses a challenge,” he pointed out.
Mayor Bensouda explained that his administration inherited the council at a time when there were almost no resources for waste management.
“When we came to office, we had zero resources, especially in waste management,” he added. He stated that his administration took charge when the council had only two almost derelict trucks and two derelict tractors.
“But today, Kanifing Municipality is one of the strongest municipalities in the sub-region,” Mayor Bensouda prided.
KMC’s Mballit Project manager Bakary B. Darboe the donated equipment will indeed support both the Mbalit Unit as well as the Environment and Sanitation Unit of the KMC in addressing some of the council’s waste collection challenges.
“It[donation] will also complement our collective strive to eradicate all the illegal dumpsites within the municipality. The intent is not only timely but strategic as it will significantly reduce the indiscriminate dumping, taking place in some of the communities, especially those living closer to the river such as in Ebo-Town and New Jeshwang,” he added.
Darboe thanked the KMC mayor and the General Council for their steadfastness and commitment to transforming the municipality.