As part of the Freetown City Council’s Transform Freetown project, the Council will soon start taking action against producers of sachet water and soft drinks. The FCC has held several meetings with producers of sachet water and soft drinks to see how the two can work out solutions over the high number of used plastic water sachets and plastic soft drink bottles that pollute the city. FCC Environmental Officer, Suliaman Parker, said some time in 2016, in a meeting held with water and soft drink producers, it was agreed that the producers step in to help FCC with cleaning activities. But, he said, very little has been achieved. “In a few months, the rains will start and the clogging of drainage ditches with plastics and bottles will see major roads and streets overflow,” Parker said. A senior citizen, Alexander Freeman, said the clogging of drainages and gutters with plastics is a deterrent to make the Transform Freetown project work and if Council is not proactive to implement by-laws the Government will continue to spend large amounts of money to clean drainages and gutters. He said, “We should copy from Rwanda and other cities around the world for placing a ban on plastic use.” Parker noted by-laws are obsolete and need to be reviewed to allow Council to inflict stiff penalties on defaulters who continue to litter the city. Abdulai Dumbuya suggested that the FCC and plastic producers should embark on public education to educate the public on the dangers of dumping plastic waste in drainages and gutters.
AC/4/1/20/SD
By Ade Campbell
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