By Emma Black

Koidu New Sembehun City Council is doubling down on its vision for a garbage-free city, launching an ambitious Green Public Work Project to tackle waste management and upgrade drainage systems in struggling neighbourhoods, with implementation kicking off on April 1, 2025, the initiative marks a turning point for Koidu, blending environmental sustainability with tangible improvements to public health and urban life.

The Green Public Work Project isn’t just about picking up trash it’s a blueprint for a greener, more resilient Koidu. Piloted as a waste management solution, it aims to transform the city by clearing streets of refuse, unclogging drainage channels, and fostering a culture of cleanliness among residents. City officials see it as a critical step toward reversing years of environmental neglect in a region long defined by its diamond-rich soil but plagued by urban challenges.

We’re not just cleaning up, we’re building a future where Koidu thrives, said Mayor Mathew Komba Sam, whose leadership has rallied the council behind this cause, a garbage-free city means healthier families, safer streets, and a stronger community. This project is our promise to deliver that.

The effort zeroes in on upgrading drainage systems a persistent sore spot for flood-prone areas. Poorly maintained channels have long exacerbated waste buildup, turning rainy seasons into a nightmare of overflowing gutters and waterborne risks. Now, with the Green Public Work Project, the council is deploying teams to clear blockages, reinforce infrastructure, and ensure water flows freely, reducing both flooding and the spread of disease.

Launched with a ceremonial cleanup on April 1, the project has already sparked visible change. Workers in bright green vests have fanned out across Koidu’s neighbourhoods, hauling away piles of refuse and tackling drainage hotspots. Residents, too, are being urged to join in, with community outreach campaigns emphasizing the shared responsibility of keeping the city clean.

The council isn’t going it alone. The World Bank and the National Commission for Social Action (NACSA) have thrown their weight behind the initiative, providing funding, expertise, and logistical muscle. Their involvement underscores a broader commitment to environmental sustainability and public health across Sierra Leone, with Koidu as a proving ground for scalable solutions.

We’re deeply grateful to the World Bank and NACSA, said a council spokesperson. Their partnership has given us the tools to turn ambition into action. This isn’t just about Koidu it’s about showing what’s possible when we prioritize our planet and our people.

For Koidu, a city of roughly 130,000 nestled in the diamond-rich Kono District, the stakes are high. Economic life bloods like rice farming, palm oil production, and mining have long coexisted with urban strain waste management among the most pressing. The Green Public Work Project aims to flip that script, positioning Koidu as a model of green urban living in Sierra Leone’s Eastern Province.

Early signs are promising. In the Lebanon Junction area, once a notorious dumping ground, locals report cleaner streets and freer-flowing drains just days into the project. It’s like night and day, said Fatmata Jalloh, a market trader. “I can walk to my stall without stepping over rubbish or wading through muck. It’s a start.

Still, challenges loom. Sustaining the effort will require not just funding but a shift in habits convincing residents to ditch littering and embrace waste sorting. The council plans to roll out collection zones and recycling incentives, drawing inspiration from past efforts like the Plastic for Rice Exchange campaign, which saw community members swap trash for food staples.