By Bill W. Cooper
Amidst the continuous filthiness of the city of Monrovia, Monrovia City Mayor, Jefferson Koijee, has openly criticized past regimes for the city’s filthiness, placing the blame squarely on their shoulders.
He alleged that between 1822 and 1847, Government built Monrovia for three hundred thousand inhabitants, but the population has exceeded; something he described as unfortunate.
Monrovia, the capital city of Liberia, has long struggled with issues of cleanliness and waste management, thus leading to serious health hazards for inhabitants, pedestrians, and business personnel, among others.
In a conversation with street vendors recently in Monrovia, Koijee explained that the city government has made several attempts to reach out to property owners by placing calls to them, but all to no avail.
He expressed his frustration with the situation and outlined his plans to tackle the age-old pressing issue, emphasizing the importance of taking responsibility for one’s actions and recognizing the impact of past decisions on the present state of affairs.
According to him, the filthiness prevailing in Monrovia cannot be attributed solely to the current administration, but is rather a consequence of the negligence and mismanagement of previous governments.
Koijee also highlighted the lack of proper waste disposal infrastructure, inadequate funding, and inefficiency in past municipal services as major factors contributing to the city’s unsanitary conditions.
He pointed out that neglecting investments in waste management infrastructure and failing to implement sustainable waste disposal systems has left Monrovia grappling with an overwhelming waste crisis.
Mayor Koijee further made it clear that his administration takes the issue seriously and as such, is committed to rectifying the situation, outlining a comprehensive plan that encompasses both short-term and long-term strategies to address the filthiness plaguing the city.
His immediate priorities include ramping up waste collection services, implementing stricter penalties for illegal dumping, and launching public awareness campaigns to educate citizens about the importance of proper waste disposal.
In the long run, the Mayor emphasized the need for sustainable waste management practices and the importance of involving local communities in the process.
Koijee however acknowledged that addressing the filthiness in Monrovia requires a collaborative effort from all stakeholders, including citizens, businesses, and other government institutions.
He then urged the public to participate actively in keeping the city clean by responsibly disposing of waste, reporting illegal dumping activities, and embracing recycling habits.
