By Laurina B Lormia
The Ministry of Public Works (MPW), in collaboration with the World Bank, has donated a substantial consignment of fire suppressant concentrate and other assorted office-equipment to the Monrovia City Corporation (MCC) and Paynesville City Corporation (PCC) to enhance efforts in controlling municipal solid waste fires in the capital.
The donation marks a milestone achievement in equipping the MCC with fire control operations, particularly at the Wein Town Landfill site in Paynesville.
In recent years, recurrent fire events have complicated solid waste disposal operations, undermining ongoing public health and sanitation’s efforts in Monrovia.
The donation includes 80 drums of 200-litter Class ‘A’ fire suppression concentrate valued at US$88,600, imported to Liberia from Turkey.
Other items donated included 20-laptop, 21 pieces of tablets, two mega LaserJet printers and two scanners.
Speaking at the handover ceremony over the weekend in Monrovia, Deputy Minister for Administration at the Ministry of Public Works, A. Samuka Dunnoh, emphasized the significance of the donation, saying, “This partnership with the World Bank underscores our commitment to improving the safety and health of our communities.
According to him, the gesture is part of a bigger urban management capacity-building program under the Liberia Urban Resilience Project (LURP), targeting Monrovia, Paynesville, Buchanan, Gbarnga, and Ganta.
He added that, by equipping the MCC with the necessary tools to control waste-related fires, they are ensuring that Monrovia’s residents can live in a cleaner and safer environment.
He stated that, they recognize that waste fires not only pose health risks but also contribute to environmental degradation. Adding, this donation is an important step in their collective effort to combat these challenges.
Making remarks, Monrovia City Mayor, John Charuck Siafa, highlighted the critical waste management challenges facing Greater Monrovia, where the only operational landfill is dangerously overburdened.
According to him, with the city producing 1,174 tons of waste daily, only 330 tons are currently collected, far below the required amount. Siafa emphasized that the country’s two waste transfer stations, operating at limited capacity, are unable to manage the growing waste volumes, creating serious environmental and health risks.
He stressed the importance of keeping the landfill operational and underscored the urgent need for more equipment and support, particularly to prevent fires and manage waste more effectively.
He however, acknowledged the vital role of donor partners in supporting the landfill’s operations, including providing essential equipment like water tanks and machinery to help control fires. He also called for the expansion of resources, such as specialized trucks and solar power systems, to ensure continuous and efficient waste management.
While the landfill has far exceeded its lifespan, Siafa pointed out that the municipalities of Monrovia and Paynesville have been managing it with limited resources since the end of the Cheesemanburg Landfill Urban Sanitation Project.
He urged the government and partners to take immediate action to prevent further waste accumulation and improve landfill operations.
The World Bank, through its partnership with the Government of Liberia, has been actively supporting urban development and environmental protection initiatives in Monrovia.
This latest donation is part of broader efforts to enhance the city’s waste management system and mitigate climate-related risks.
With the ongoing collaboration between MPW, MCC, and international partners, authorities are hopeful that such interventions will significantly reduce waste-related fire incidents, improving safety and sanitation in Monrovia.
