PHOTO: Judge George Smith
By Garmah Never Lomo, garmahlomo@gmail.com
The urgent need to begin fully implementing the Environmental and Sanitation Law of Liberia, has been emphasized by the Resident Assigned Circuit Judge of River Gee County, George W. Smith.
Judge Smith has said the law, which needs amendment, needs to be implemented by the Executive branches of government.
According to Judge Smith, the law was amended by the Legislature which saw the need to keep cities across Liberia clean from pollution, solid waste, and other unsanitary condition pollution, in order to protect the health of the Liberian people.
The concern raised by the Liberian Circuit Court Judge comes hard on the heels of mounting local and international concerns raised about the filthiness of Monrovia and other parts of the country, with heaps of garbage covering street corners and other neighbourhoods, which attract mosquitos, flies and rodents.
Judge Smith was delivering his Charge during the opening of the August Term of Court in River Gee County capital, Fish Town recently.
Judge Smith noted that in order for the environmental and sanitation law to be implemented, local authorities like city mayors and city councils, the police and law enforcement officers must arrest and prosecute those who drop dirt/garbage, plastic bags/bottles and other refuse in the streets and public places.
This Resident Assigned Circuit Judge of River Gee County,
“For instance, disposing of dirt/garbage such as plastic bags/bottles, in our streets, roads, gutters, drains, creeks, water-course, and other public places in our Country, does not only spoil, besmear, befoul the beauty of Liberia and endangers our health, but it also endangers our marine resources, the fishes in our waters, and undermines our soil and agricultural production considering length of time it takes for plastic bags to dissolve,” Judge Smith lamented.
Section 21.3 of the Environmental Sanitation Law authorizes and mandates the local authorities, and the police to arrest individuals who are caught disobeying the City Ordinances and upon release, should pay a fined of US$100.
The Resident Assigned Circuit Judge of River Gee County furthered said that Liberians must also learn to be patriotic citizens, urging them to observe the law on city ordinance.
Judge Smith said patriotism means a citizen’s love for, honor and duty to his or her country.
“One who is patriotic and loves his or her country will not spoil, besmear and befoul its beauty and endanger the health of its people,” he said.
According to him, patriotic citizens of Liberia are under duty to honor and respect the law along with City Ordinances issued from time to time by the city or municipal government.
Judge Smith added: “Some of us continuously violate this law without being punished such that the violation of this law and City Ordinances seems to be a normal way of life now.”
However, Section 5.1 of our Public Health Law imposes a punishment of US$100 maximum fine on people who drop dirt in the streets and other public places. They can also be punished under the City Ordinances.