The Joint Cleansing Service Associations (JCSA) of the Brikama Area Council (BAC) and the Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) last Saturday embarked on a massive cleansing exercise at major dumpsites in the Western Region. 

The two councils formed a joint force in 2007, mainly to ensure timely management, control and disposal of waste within the communities in the two regions. The cleansing exercise covered major waste disposal centres in Brikama, Old Yundum, Sanchaba Sulay Jobe, Wellingara and the hotel areas in Senegambia.

Speaking to reporters shortly after the exercise, Dembo Colley, president of the Association, said they decided to come together to help the management of the two councils in keeping the regions clean by taking control of wastes that are generated within their jurisdiction. He said the control, disposal and management of waste products is expensive and consumes a lot of councils’ revenue. Mr Colley also highlighted that the joint cleansing exercise is clearly a response to the Gambian leader’s call for people to keep their environment clean, safe and healthy.

Lamin Luwan Conteh, senior cleansing services supervisor at the Brikama Area Council explained that the joint efforts of the two cleansing units is a target to preventing indiscriminate waste dumping in communities. Conteh noted that the exercise is also conceived so as to save resources and time in waste collection and disposal on the part of the two councils.

He expressed appreciation for the support rendered to them by the Green Youths in Brikama during the exercise and urged other stakeholders to emulate the good steps taken by the Green Youths. He stressed that the two councils alone cannot adequately take care of waste products that are generated in their areas.