-Waste management, climate change research part of MoU
The British charity, WaterAid has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Paynesville City Corporation (PCC) in suburbs of Monrovia, as part of its strategy to address Solid Waste huddles in and around the Liberian capital.
The MOU spells out WaterAid’s financial support and in-kind technical support to the PCC for two projects being undertaken by PCC in the coming months.
A statement issued at the weekend in Monrovia says the first project is a research study on climate change effects on six communities within Paynesville.
Indicators for this study, it noted, include WASH services, access to piped borne water, and solid waste management services.
The signing ceremony
“It will lead to an understanding of the level of adaptation (resilience) of these communities to the impacts of climate change, including flooding, hazmat exposure, fires, and droughts”, the statement said.
The second project is a baseline analysis for a Smart City Market Pilot with local marketers in Paynesville, and will look at how a smart city market (one with closed loops) can generate income and be financially self-sufficient and environmentally sustainable.
“Potential sources of income could be electricity production where generated waste is turned into valuable products such as biogas for electricity or cook stoves and fertilizers for the surrounding agricultural land”, it further explained.
Other outcomes would include putting sanitary facilities in place and the local population using them in a correct way, and that toilet waste is taken care of in an environmentally friendly and sound way.
It also includes women making women at the market feel safe and have access to child care as well as providing electricity to increase awareness of the environment, health, and sustainability, which will ensure that a number of new green businesses are prospering.
Both of these projects will support the development of a master plan and strategy for effectively managing solid waste within the communities of Paynesville.
Implementation of the project is expected to commence this month.
Established in 1981, WaterAid is an international Non-Governmental Organization focused exclusively on improving poor people’s access to safe water, improved hygiene and sanitation in developing countries.
WaterAid believes that water and sanitation are human rights and are vital for health, education and livelihoods, and that they form the first, essential step in overcoming poverty.