UNEP Approaches Waste Management in Another Way
The Inquirer (Monrovia)
NEWS
26 June 2007
Posted to the web 26 June 2007
By Charles B. Yates
The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) has embarked on a new policy method in approaching waste management in Liberia.
According to UNEP this new method will engage all stakeholders both internationally and locally to formulate a strategy in dealing with issues of environmental concern.
UNEP made the disclosure yesterday at a workshop organized for the development of the waste management sector in Liberia.
Serving as the keynote speaker, the Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Mr. Ben T. Donnie challenged the participants to get involved with the issues of the environment of Liberia.
Mr. Donnie also advised the public against wasting harmful materials on the streets and in their respective communities.
He pointed out that by placing waste materials on the streets could lead to anyone killing themselves or their children.
The EPA boss warned hotels, restaurants, funeral homes and hospitals that wasting their used materials around their business centers is detrimental for their businesses as well as those who they serve; not to mention people who live within the immediate vicinities where these operations transpire.
Mr. Donnie, maintained that the public should monitor and investigate funeral homes and hospitals on a daily basis, as they carry out their dumping of waste materials.
Meanwhile, the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) has listed several institutions as its key partners in the fight to sustain 'the environment of Liberia
According to UNEP, its partners include the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Lands, Mines and Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Ministry of Public Works. Others are the Paynesville City Corporation, the Monrovia City Corporation, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, funeral homes, the Liberia Marketing Association, private service providers and all hospitals in the country.
Mr. Mike Cowing, a UNEP environmental expert from Britain deliberated on series of topics, including the causes and consequences of poor waste management in developing countries.
The UNEP environmental expert also spoke on the role of the EPA, the Government and the general public on the development of waste management sector in Liberia.
The British trained environmentalist noted that for Liberia to make any positive impact in this program, every Liberian must get involved in maintaining their own environments.
During an UNEP recently concluded workshop for environmental inspectors in Liberia, it was observed that "the management of solid municipal waste and commercial and industrial waste, represent the largest and most serious environmental and public health challenge facing Liberia.
The seriousness of the situation was further endorsed by numerous senior government officials from key ministries participating in the workshop, including the Environmental Protection Agency, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Lands, Mines and Energy, and the Ministry of Agriculture.
Currently there are no operational standards, guidelines or awareness regarding the appropriate management of waste in Liberia. Consequently, large mounds of uncollected waste have accumulated throughout Monrovia, and elsewhere throughout the country, much of which is routinely burnt.
Furthermore, significant quantities of Hazardous Healthcare Waste (HHCW) find their way into the informal disposal sites and create profound risks to those individuals visiting the sites; in particular the high numbers of young children involved in waste scavenging activities.
In view of the seriousness of the situation, UNEP is proposing a short-term project to improve the management of waste in Liberia.
In the complete absence of proper systems for waste management, Liberia urgently requires a range of assistance to bring about appropriate, affordable and sustainable improvement in waste management. The key areas needing support include an institutional assessment to understand the respective mandates, roles and responsibilities within the waste management sector between the various ministries and other entities (municipalities) in Monrovia and other counties and a review of any existing legislation and/or by-laws which are used to manage waste management issues throughout the country. A review of existing costs and funding mechanisms for the provision of waste management services and the identification of potential cost recovery mechanisms are also expedient.
Discussions with key stakeholders such as concerned governmental ministries and town planning agencies, labour, the police, industries, etc are to gain an understanding of their perspectives and existing difficulties to move forward in this perspective.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright © 2007 The Inquirer. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NEWS
26 June 2007
Posted to the web 26 June 2007
By Charles B. Yates
The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) has embarked on a new policy method in approaching waste management in Liberia.
According to UNEP this new method will engage all stakeholders both internationally and locally to formulate a strategy in dealing with issues of environmental concern.
UNEP made the disclosure yesterday at a workshop organized for the development of the waste management sector in Liberia.
Serving as the keynote speaker, the Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Mr. Ben T. Donnie challenged the participants to get involved with the issues of the environment of Liberia.
Mr. Donnie also advised the public against wasting harmful materials on the streets and in their respective communities.
He pointed out that by placing waste materials on the streets could lead to anyone killing themselves or their children.
The EPA boss warned hotels, restaurants, funeral homes and hospitals that wasting their used materials around their business centers is detrimental for their businesses as well as those who they serve; not to mention people who live within the immediate vicinities where these operations transpire.
Mr. Donnie, maintained that the public should monitor and investigate funeral homes and hospitals on a daily basis, as they carry out their dumping of waste materials.
Meanwhile, the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) has listed several institutions as its key partners in the fight to sustain 'the environment of Liberia
According to UNEP, its partners include the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Lands, Mines and Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Ministry of Public Works. Others are the Paynesville City Corporation, the Monrovia City Corporation, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, funeral homes, the Liberia Marketing Association, private service providers and all hospitals in the country.
Mr. Mike Cowing, a UNEP environmental expert from Britain deliberated on series of topics, including the causes and consequences of poor waste management in developing countries.
The UNEP environmental expert also spoke on the role of the EPA, the Government and the general public on the development of waste management sector in Liberia.
The British trained environmentalist noted that for Liberia to make any positive impact in this program, every Liberian must get involved in maintaining their own environments.
During an UNEP recently concluded workshop for environmental inspectors in Liberia, it was observed that "the management of solid municipal waste and commercial and industrial waste, represent the largest and most serious environmental and public health challenge facing Liberia.
The seriousness of the situation was further endorsed by numerous senior government officials from key ministries participating in the workshop, including the Environmental Protection Agency, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Lands, Mines and Energy, and the Ministry of Agriculture.
Currently there are no operational standards, guidelines or awareness regarding the appropriate management of waste in Liberia. Consequently, large mounds of uncollected waste have accumulated throughout Monrovia, and elsewhere throughout the country, much of which is routinely burnt.
Furthermore, significant quantities of Hazardous Healthcare Waste (HHCW) find their way into the informal disposal sites and create profound risks to those individuals visiting the sites; in particular the high numbers of young children involved in waste scavenging activities.
In view of the seriousness of the situation, UNEP is proposing a short-term project to improve the management of waste in Liberia.
In the complete absence of proper systems for waste management, Liberia urgently requires a range of assistance to bring about appropriate, affordable and sustainable improvement in waste management. The key areas needing support include an institutional assessment to understand the respective mandates, roles and responsibilities within the waste management sector between the various ministries and other entities (municipalities) in Monrovia and other counties and a review of any existing legislation and/or by-laws which are used to manage waste management issues throughout the country. A review of existing costs and funding mechanisms for the provision of waste management services and the identification of potential cost recovery mechanisms are also expedient.
Discussions with key stakeholders such as concerned governmental ministries and town planning agencies, labour, the police, industries, etc are to gain an understanding of their perspectives and existing difficulties to move forward in this perspective.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright © 2007 The Inquirer. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Labels: africa, Environmental Protection, Purdue University, UNEP, waste management
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7/05/2007
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