Liberia: New City Mayors Struggle with Waste Management Despite Gov’t Making Sanitation Top Priority

Gompa City, Nimba – Liberia’s waste management crisis has persisted for years, leaving urban areas overwhelmed by mountains of garbage and exposing residents to severe health and environmental risks. With the recent appointment of new mayors in key cities, there is a renewed push to address this longstanding issue. However, their success hinges on the support they receive—both from the national government and local communities.

By Siaway T. Miapue | siawaytmiapue@gmail.com

The Scope of the Crisis

Improper waste disposal has become an unfortunate hallmark of Liberia’s urban landscape, with street corners, marketplaces, and drainage systems frequently doubling as makeshift dumpsites. This crisis has not only marred the aesthetic appeal of cities like Paynesville, Kakata, and Ganta but has also led to significant public health concerns.

The World Health Organization’s 2023 report highlights the severity of the situation, linking 52% of deaths from stroke and heart disease to air pollution. In Liberia, pollution levels in urban areas are, on average, seven times higher than recommended limits. A 2023 investigative report by the Daily Observer titled “Unsanitary Conditions in Liberian Cities: Challenges and Calls for Change” painted a grim picture of the nation’s waste management system. The report detailed the frustrations of residents forced to endure toxic odors and pervasive filth from unmanaged waste.

Municipal governments have struggled to provide adequate solutions, largely due to a lack of resources and logistical challenges.

New Leadership, Old Challenges

With the election of President Joseph Boakai in January 2024, there was hope for change. By April, he had appointed new mayors in three key cities: Rev. Gbanrgawoe Eddie Seyboe in Kakata, Samuel Saye Hardt in Ganta, and Robert S. Bestman in Paynesville. These appointments were seen as a fresh opportunity to tackle the waste management crisis head-on. However, despite some moderate improvements, unsanitary conditions continue to plague these cities.

Paynesville:

Home to the infamous Red Light commercial district, Paynesville remains a focal point of the waste crisis. The area is notorious for being choked with garbage from surrounding communities and market activities. In the past, waste would accumulate for months, creating hazardous conditions for residents and traders. While Mayor Bestman has made some progress in waste removal, challenges persist.

Theresa Kolliebo, a local vendor in Red Light, acknowledges recent improvements but stresses that these are merely surface-level solutions. “This time, when they put the dirt, in two or three days, the machine will come and take it,” she said. “But before, the dirt would stay here for months. Now, it’s getting better, but we need more than just clearing the streets.”

Kollieboe points to the site later cleared by the PCC in 2024: Photo: Siaway T. Miapue

Much of the waste in Paynesville originates from surrounding communities, where residents often pay disadvantaged youth, known locally as “Zogoes,” to dispose of their garbage. This practice leads to illegal dumping on public streets, worsening the situation.

Kakata:

In Kakata, the story is much the same. Thelma Cooper, a petite trader, recalls how in 2023, the stench from nearby garbage piles severely impacted her health and business. “I used to pass through many things here,” Cooper said, expressing relief that the situation has improved somewhat under the new administration.

However, like Kolliebo in Paynesville, Cooper believes the root of the problem lies in the community itself. “Let the city mayor really focus on the community because that’s where the dirt is coming from,” she urged.

Ganta:

Picture of the principal street of Ganta in 2023- Photo: Siaway T. Miapue

As the commercial hub of Nimba County, Ganta has long struggled with improper waste management. While some improvements have been made under Mayor Hardt, the situation remains precarious. Residents like Emmanuel Zordue are concerned about the sustainability of these efforts and advocate for stricter enforcement of waste disposal laws. “My advice to the Ganta City Corporation is to deploy city police to monitor the dumping sites and prevent illegal waste disposal,” Zordue said.

Picture of the principal street of Ganta in 2023- Photo: Siaway T. Miapue

The Financial Strain

One of the primary obstacles facing these new mayors is the lack of budgetary support from the national government. Although the Boakai administration’s national agenda emphasizes sanitation as a priority, the financial allocations tell a different story. Out of a national budget of $35.7 million for municipal governance, only $1.7 million was designated for the Paynesville City Corporation (PCC). This amount was later reduced to $1.3 million in the recast budget, despite Paynesville’s population of over 617,000, according to the 2023 census.

Mayor Bestman and his team are actively seeking additional support from both the national government and international partners. “We need resources to sustain all the gains we have made,” said PCC spokesman Jeremiah Diggen. “We’re lobbying for more financial resources to address the logistical challenges we face.”

Ganta and Kakata, with populations of over 111,000 and 123,000 respectively, receive no direct budgetary support. Mayors Hardt and Seyboe are vocal about their need for financial inclusion. “We are engaging our lawmakers to ensure that Ganta is included in the national budget,” said Hardt. Seyboe echoed this sentiment, stating that budgetary inclusion would “lessen some of our burdens and make us more effective.”

The Path Forward

Liberia’s waste management crisis is more than just an environmental issue—it’s a public health emergency. The new mayors of Paynesville, Kakata, and Ganta have demonstrated a commitment to addressing the problem, but their efforts will only be sustainable with increased financial support and community engagement.

Edicia J. Borloh, founder of the One Million Trees Liberia Project and advocate for sustainable waste management, highlights the critical need for community involvement in solving Liberia’s waste crisis. “Improper waste disposal is one of the root causes of the environmental challenges we face in Liberia, particularly in urban areas like Paynesville, Kakata, and Monrovia. It directly contributes to severe flooding, air pollution, and health problems like malaria and typhoid,” she said.

Borloh emphasizes that sustainable waste management requires a multifaceted approach, integrating public awareness, policy enforcement, and collaboration with local authorities. “The efforts by new mayors are a step in the right direction, but they need the support of all stakeholders, from the national government to individual community members, to achieve lasting change,” she added.

A Race Against Time

As Liberia’s cities grapple with the waste crisis, the question remains: will the new leadership be able to turn the tide, or will the streets remain littered with the remnants of unfulfilled promises?

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