In the heart of Tengbeh Town, Freetown, a community is coming together in a desperate call for immediate help. Faced with pressing challenges of waste management and drainage blockages, the residents are urging authorities to take urgent action to protect their health and livelihoods.
Tengbeh Town residents’ voices rang out with a familiar plea: Something must be done to address their community’s escalating waste and drainage problems. These issues have plagued the area for years, and heavy rains only worsened matters.
Mohamed Sankoh, a motorbike rider and long-time resident, has watched the situation deteriorate over the last three years. “Every time it rains heavily, people dump their garbage directly into the drainage pipes,” he shared, his voice tinged with frustration. The pipes meant to carry rainwater to nearby streams instead become clogged with waste, leading to stagnant water and unsanitary conditions that put everyone at risk.
The impact on the community has been profound. Residents like Sankoh
have seen stagnant water create a breeding ground for mosquitoes and insects near the bridge, where the most severe blockages are. Street food vendors rely on the area’s daily hustle and bustle and are particularly vulnerable. “It’s not just about the smell,” Sankoh explained. “It’s about the health risks. Our children play near these areas, and vendors sell food beside the stagnant water.”
But it’s not just about the physical health risks. The residents of Tengbeh Town are also grappling with the emotional toll of living in such conditions. For many, this is home-where they raise their families and build their lives. Yet, they feel powerless as they watch their community sink deeper into disrepair. Some residents have shared stories of their children falling sick due to the unsanitary conditions, adding to the emotional burden they carry.
With an unwavering determination to see change, the residents call on the Freetown City Council (FCC) to act. They want those who dispose of waste irresponsibly to be hel
d accountable, and they are asking for regular waste clearance, especially around the critical areas near the bridge. The community also advocates installing trashcans at crucial points throughout the neighbourhood to encourage proper disposal.
To maintain cleanliness and prevent future blockages, the residents have suggested a system where households contribute a small fee for regular trash collection. This system would involve a weekly or bi-weekly collection service, with the fee covering collection and disposal costs. They believe this practical solution could restore Tengbeh Town to a sense of pride and cleanliness.
As they wait for a response from the authorities, the people of Tengbeh Town remain hopeful. They clearly envision a future where their community is once again a safe and healthy place to live-where children can play without fear, vendors can sell without concern, and residents can walk the streets with dignity.
In Sankoh’s words, “We just want to live in a clean place where we don’t have
to worry about getting sick every time it rains.”
Source: Sierra Leone News Agency
