By: Binta Jaiteh
Honourable Yaya Menteng Sanyang, the Member of Parliament for Latrikunda Sabiji, has strongly criticized statements made by Honourable Hamat Bah, the Minister of Lands, Regional Government, and Religious Affairs, regarding the failure of local councils in managing waste in the country.
In an interview with The Voice following the tabling of the Waste Management Bill by Minister Bah, who was representing the Minister of Environment, Hon. Sanyang responded to the Minister’s comments, saying, “The Minister of Lands is misleading the people. This accusation is based on political sentiments. He has failed in managing his Ministry. It is inappropriate to accuse all local government councils of failing in waste collection. This is an insult to Gambians.”
Honourable Sanyang continued, “Gambians have witnessed significant and unprecedented developments in waste management, especially in the Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) and the Banjul Area Council (BAC). These two councils have made considerable progress in recent years. The Minister should retract his statement as it is misleading.”
In response, Minister Bah defended his position, stating, “Whether you like it or not, most councils have failed in waste management.” He emphasized that local councils are responsible for maintaining clean environments, especially since they collect taxes from citizens. “The government has made repeated efforts to encourage them, but it seems they cannot fulfill this responsibility. Since they cannot do it, we must return to the assembly to explore how we can create an agency that will work with the councils to address this issue effectively,” he explained.
Minister Bah reassured lawmakers that funding for the proposed agency would not be an issue, saying, “The government will finance the agency because we recognize that waste management is a pressing issue worldwide.”
He also reflected on the historical challenges of waste management, recalling a time when, as Minister of Tourism, he faced threats from tour operators who considered withdrawing from The Gambia due to cleanliness concerns. “Waste management has been a topic of discussion in the cabinet, and it has become clear that current measures are insufficient,” he said. “We have received images from across the country showing the extent of neglect, not just in the cities but in rural areas as well. It’s as though the country is not being managed by the councils.”
Minister Bah urged area councils to take their responsibilities more seriously, lamenting that many citizens still do not view waste management as a priority. He emphasized the need for education and awareness as part of the Waste Management Bill, saying, “Once enacted, education and awareness must be prioritized. People need to understand the dangers waste poses to our environment and health. The new agency should develop a comprehensive plan, including enforcement measures.”
