By Aminata Bintu Kallon
The Deputy Mayor of the Freetown City Council (FCC), Kweku Melvin Lisk Esq., has on Tuesday, 16 June 2026, called on residents to take responsibility for keeping the city clean, stressing that behaviour change is central to solving Freetown’s sanitation problems.
Speaking at the Government Weekly Press Briefing at the Miatta Civic Centre, Mr. Lisk explained that poor sanitation in the capital is not only about limited resources but also about careless waste disposal. “It is largely an issue of attitude because, for many years, we have been somewhat complacent and have not paid sufficient attention to how we dispose of our waste, particularly liquid waste,” he said.
He noted that government and partners continue to invest in waste management systems, but lasting results will only come if citizens take ownership of their environment. Many residents, he warned, assume that once waste leaves their homes or businesses, it becomes someone else’s responsibility. “Most people believe that sanitation is someone else’s responsibility. However, the examples we see around us prove otherwise,” he added.
Mr. Lisk pointed out that poor waste management contributes directly to flooding, pollution, disease outbreaks, and declining living conditions. To address these issues, the FCC, working with the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs, has introduced the Solid and Liquid Waste Collection By‑Laws 2024. These laws provide a stronger framework for managing waste across the city.
A major focus of the new rules is liquid waste, which the Deputy Mayor described as a growing but often ignored problem. He explained that many hillside communities lack proper sewage systems, leading to wastewater being discharged into drains and waterways. This practice, he said, worsens flooding and creates serious health risks during the rainy season.
Under the new by‑laws, every household must register with an approved waste service provider to ensure safe collection and disposal. Failure to comply is now an offence punishable by law. The Council has also divided Freetown into operational zones to improve services and strengthen monitoring.
Mr. Lisk stressed the importance of proper waste segregation, especially for hazardous and medical waste. He warned that people who search dumpsites for recyclable materials often face serious health risks. “Nobody can brush your teeth for you, and in the same way, nobody can keep your environment clean on your behalf,” he remarked.
He announced that indiscriminate dumping of waste is now a punishable offence and explained that the FCC has partnered with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Sierra Leone Police, and the Ministry of Local Government to enforce compliance.
The Deputy Mayor also called for greater order in markets and public spaces, saying that activities must be properly organized and carried out in designated areas. “Every activity should be organized and properly structured. There must be designated places for everything, including trading and waste disposal,” he said.
While acknowledging that some communities still lack access to sanitation facilities, Mr. Lisk insisted that personal responsibility is essential. He concluded by urging residents to embrace behavioural change, stressing that no amount of financial investment can solve sanitation challenges without public cooperation. “Until attitudes change, no matter how much money we invest in sanitation and environmental management, our efforts will not achieve the desired results,” he said.
The Deputy Mayor’s remarks come as the Freetown City Council begins full enforcement of the Solid and Liquid Waste Collection By‑Laws 2024, a move aimed at improving public health, protecting the environment, and ensuring the overall cleanliness of Sierra Leone’s capital city.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Monday, 22nd June 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
