The National Environment Agency (NEA) in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Wednesday convened a one-day collaborative strategy meeting with municipal agencies and local authorities on the management of waste products in the country, particularly within the Greater Banjul Area.

The meeting was held at the Paradise Suites Hotel in Kololi. At the end of the meeting, it is expected that tangible resolutions will be drawn and agreed upon which will pave way for a lasting solution in the management of waste products in the country. “Waste disposal in The Gambia, like many third world countries is becoming a major environmental health hazard,” said Bully Mustapha Dibber, NEA director of Administration and Finance. He added that the increasing quantity of waste and its changing composition is a major challenge with cost of large quantity of waste even going beyond financial capacity.

Dibba observed that the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) has set special targets for environmental sustainability and access to environmental sanitation, but safe disposal of solid waste seems to go beyond the capacity of the municipalities and councils. He said: “We need to create a framework for new national commitment to address poverty eradication that would ensure environmental sustainability by integrating the principles of sustainable development into the country’s policies.”

He further told the gathering that Gambia’s current major expenditure is on the collection and transportation [of waste] adding that with more mechanization and with the need for proper disposal, the share of disposal will rise. “Many of our cities and towns lack the facilities for safe disposal,” Dibba remarked. He explained that municipal solid waste management comprises of various stages ranging from the generation of waste to its final disposal. He stressed that for a complete system of solid waste, all the strategies in managing waste must be put in place; a thing he expects will be discussed during the meeting.

While calling on all Gambians to take up strong responsibilities in protecting their environment, Dibba emphasised that as the country is making progress in its socio-economic status, there is a particular need for proper waste management. He finally thanked UNDP, as well as the municipalities and local authorities for taking part in the meeting.

Momodou Kanteh, the NEA director of technical services network noted that waste continues to be a serious problem in the country, which demands an integrated approach in addressing it.  “We must ensure that heavy metal does not leak into our waters,” he added.