By Emma Black
On April 29, 2025, the Freetown City Council (FCC), in partnership with Catholic Relief Services (CRS), donated essential cleaning tools and tricycles to the Kroo Bay community, marking a significant step in enhancing waste management efforts in one of Freetown’s most densely populated areas.
The donation, which included shovels, rakes, boots, face masks, gloves, and two tricycles, aims to bolster community-led waste collection and disposal initiatives. The tricycles will be operated by six local youths, creating job opportunities and fostering economic empowerment within Kroo Bay. To ensure the initiative’s sustainability, residents will contribute a minimal waste collection fee to cover tricycle maintenance costs.
At the handover ceremony, FCC Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr emphasized the importance of using the equipment solely for its intended purpose of improving waste management in Kroo Bay. She urged community members and leaders to take collective responsibility in preventing illegal dumping and land reclamation through improper waste disposal. This donation is a call to action for Kroo Bay to lead by example in maintaining a clean and healthy environment, the Mayor stated.
The initiative aligns with the FCC’s broader vision to transform waste management across Freetown, as outlined in its recently enacted sanitation byelaws. It also serves as a precursor to the FCC’s upcoming DortiMusGo campaign, set to launch in mid-May 2025 with an intensive citywide cleanup exercise. The campaign aims to promote civic responsibility and enforce stricter waste management practices throughout the capital.
Catholic Relief Services, a long-standing partner of the FCC, reiterated its commitment to supporting sustainable community development. By equipping Kroo Bay with these tools and tricycles, we are empowering residents to take charge of their environment while creating opportunities for youth employment, said a CRS representative at the ceremony.
Kroo Bay community leaders expressed gratitude for the donation, pledging to work closely with the FCC and CRS to ensure the equipment is used effectively. Residents welcomed the initiative, noting its potential to improve living conditions and reduce health risks associated with poor waste management.
As Freetown prepares for the DortiMusGo campaign, the donation to Kroo Bay underscores the FCC’s proactive approach to addressing waste management challenges. Through partnerships with organizations like CRS and active community engagement, the FCC is laying the foundation for a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable Freetown.
Copy right –Printed in the Expo Times News on Friday, May 2nd , 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
