Africa-Press – Liberia. As part of efforts to curtail the spread of waste in some of Liberia’s major cities, the City Alliance has provided loans worth $267,345 to 21 community-based enterprises (CBEs) to enhance their collection activities.
The initiative funded by the European Union called “Delivering Climate Resilient Solid Waste Management Services in Greater Monrovia” is aimed at providing financial aid to the CBEs to procure equipment envisioned to support primary solid waste collection.
The loan is payable to a revolving fund micro-finance facility managed by the technical committee comprising of Paynesville, Monrovia, Environmental Protection Agency, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the National Association of Community Based Enterprises at 1% interest annually.
The 21 CBEs were selected out of 46 applicants following a vigorous vetting process that took several months. As per the terms and conditions, the loans, which range from US$5,000 to US$15,000, are payable within 18 months beginning December 1, 2021, to May 3, 2023, with 1% interest rate per annual.
Speaking at ceremony marking the signing of the loan’s agreement in Monrovia recently, the Deputy Minister for Urban Affairs at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Madam Paulita C.C. Wie, expressed gratitude to EU and its implementing partners Cities Alliance for granting power to the CBEs to tackle one of the country’s main challenges of solid waste management.
According to her, the main objective for the loan is to provide financial support to CBES to improve waste management as rapid urbanization and overpopulation have posed serious challenges to solid waste management.
“There are lots of challenges when it comes to waste management and so this is good as Liberian CBEs will engage in door-to-door collection. With collective effort we can overcome these challenges. We cannot solve it alone. We need to work with others and complement each other,” said the MIA Deputy Minister said.
She then urged CBEs to be sincere with the funds by repaying within the specified period of time so as to give others the opportunity to benefit.
She added: “The money is not for merry making. It’s to empower you to improve waste management. So please work diligently to help make our cities clean and green.”
Also, Mr. Francisco Mariano Juárez López, Head of Cities Alliance Liberia Country Programme, indicated that the singing of the loan agreements is the start to championing solid waste management.
This, he said will ensure good solid waste management system, a milestone which he says the organization (CA) is pleased to reach.
López challenged the CBEs to step out to keep the cities clean and green for the benefit of all. He also urged the city corporations to play advisory role in the process.
“You have the responsibility to make this work and succeed in terms of project implementation especially into communities. If we can achieve this, then it’s good for us all. Cities Alliance remains committed to working in the interest of the people of Liberia. Make use of this opportunity. This is first time that Cities Alliance is implementing this kind of loan facility across the globe. Work harder and put your effort into it,” added López.
Adding up, the Deputy Head of Finance, Contracts and Audit Section of the EU Delegation to Liberia, Madam Maria Kantardjieva, in brief, thanked the Government of Liberia for its many strides aimed at improving garbage collection over the years and Cities Alliance for the partnership.
The Director of Human Resource at the Paynesville City Corporation (PCC), Madam Hawa Dee Sheriff, pointed out that cleanliness of the cities is a shared value, and as such, everyone should take ownership.
She said: “As PCC, we are pleased to be part of this. This is very important for all of you; the CBEs and for our cities. This loan will expand your business and you too, are going to boost the economy of our country. But again, like others have said, do not mismanage the funds given to you. This is to improve solid waste collection, and in that vein, it’s going to create employment opportunities for others,” she stated.
Mr. Abraham B.Y Jusu Garneo, Director General of Service Programs the Monrovia City Corporation (MCC), thanked Liberia’s development partners for their support something he said will address the huge challenge of solid waste management.
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