Godliness, seems to have lost its meaning in Sierra Leone’s urban centres, where piles of garbage now line major streets and public spaces. Despite personal hygiene being a priority for many, the same citizens who take pride in looking clean often litter public areas without hesitation.
It is common to see well-dressed passengers in private and commercial vehicles tossing plastic waste, food wrappers, and empty cans onto the streets. Some commuters eat inside vehicles and leave their trash behind, which drivers or apprentices later sweep out onto the roads.
Another major contributor to the mounting waste problem is the proliferation of water-producing companies. Thousands of plastic sachets are consumed daily, yet there is no effective system for collecting or recycling them. Many people simply discard the empty sachets on the spot, adding to the growing heaps of plastic litter clogging drains and sidewalks.
In response to mounting public complaints, the Freetown City Council (FCC) — tasked with keeping the city clean — introduced by-laws imposing fines for littering. However, critics argued that the Council failed to provide convenient alternatives for waste disposal. The FCC later installed yellow waste bins along major streets, but many residents ignored them, while others complained that the bins were rarely emptied, leaving garbage to overflow onto the streets.
While the Council has faced criticism for inefficiency, the issue also reflects a broader lack of civic responsibility. Patriotism and environmental stewardship, which form part of the collective and solidarity rights of citizens, have largely been ignored. Many Sierra Leoneans vigorously defend their social, political, and economic rights but overlook the importance of maintaining a clean and healthy environment — a basic precondition for all other rights.
From the central business district to the Western Rural area of Waterloo, streets have effectively become dumping sites. Plastic bags, worn-out baskets, and piles of household waste sit by the roadside, sometimes spilling into traffic lanes. Much of the waste comes from street traders, but nearby households also contribute, often because of the absence of designated community dumping sites.
The situation worsens during the rainy season, when floodwaters wash garbage into gutters and streams, creating blockages and foul odours. The stench and unsanitary conditions pose serious public health risks, yet the problem persists.
Green waste management trucks are often seen along the Jui–Waterloo highway collecting garbage, but their efforts fall short. Piles of uncollected waste remain visible daily, raising questions about whether the number of trucks and disposal resources are adequate.
Both the Western Area Urban and Western Area Rural District Councils have made efforts to improve waste management, but the results remain unsatisfactory. To make meaningful progress, the councils could:
1. Create accessible dumping sites in communities to discourage residents from discarding waste on streets, especially at night.
2. Deploy metropolitan police officers during the day to monitor waste disposal practices, rather than focusing solely on chasing street traders or collecting market dues.
These measures, combined with stricter enforcement of sanitation by-laws and public education, could help restore Freetown’s cleanliness.
Ultimately, keeping the city clean requires a shift in mindset. Citizens must show patriotism not only through words but through everyday actions. As a local saying goes in Krio: “You wey get you debul, na you go make oda pipul dem frade am” — meaning, you must set the example for others to follow.
Sierra Leoneans often travel abroad and respect the laws of cleaner, more orderly nations. It is time to show the same respect and discipline at home. Keeping the streets clean is not just the Council’s job — it is a collective responsibility that reflects love for country and respect for public health.
By DMans
