By Aji Fatou Faal
The National Assembly select committee on Environment, Sustainable Development and NGO Affairs said the ‘poor management’ of waste in the country troubles them.
The committee which toured various dumping sites – legal and illegal – and met local authorities of these sites, called for greater efforts in waste management and environmental protection.
Sainey Touray, NAM for Jarra East and chairman of the committee, said: “People must change their attitude in the way and manner they dispose waste.”
The tour was designed to give the lawmakers first-hand information in relation to the state of dumping sites in the country.
It was also designed to monitor the implementation of policies and programmes relating to the protection and preservation of the environment and to advise relevant authorities on effective measures to prevent and\ or control pollution and related matters.
The Committee first visited Barra riverside dumpsite, then Berending Quarry, Farafenni, Bamba Tenda mangroves, Basse dumpsite, Allunghari, Basang, Yelli Tenda and Mansakonko dumpsites.
“All the visited councils in all these places have their own designated sites for dumping of waste but the major problem is transporting wastage from the communities to the dumping site,” one lawmaker said.
“The lack of manpower facilities in most of the councils visited is hindering their work effectively.”
At Bamba and Yelli Tenda- the committee said it was “shocked” to see an illegal dumpsite next to the mangroves, and said the odour emanating from it can easily contaminate the sea water.
