Ceesay made this revelation during a training conducted by the Mbolo Association. It was funded by the European Union through a project dubbed: Mbolo 0-Waste on Recycling.
Mr Ceesay outlined that 60% of the funds generated go back into waste collection. Daily expenditures on waste management are allocated to 19 wards, each served by its valid truck.
“Our weekly fuel consumption for these 19 vehicles amounts to almost D190,000. Consequently, our monthly fuel costs for these trucks total D760,000 per ward, which is solely for fuel,” Mr Ceesay stated.
He further revealed that these expenses do not include maintenance costs, tyre purchases, and other related expenses.
“In terms of salaries for the staff operating these 19 trucks, we spend nearly D2 million for each ward, which includes maintenance costs. Overall, the council spends approximately 7 to 8 million dalasis monthly just for waste collection.”
Mr Ceesay expressed that to mitigate these costs, the council welcomes waste management sessions to support the municipality's development.
“In relation to monitoring the dumpsite, you'll be surprised to learn that the council spends D500,000 every 10 days just for this purpose,” he added.
Mr. Sait emphasised the need for a change in public attitudes toward waste disposal, pointing out that managing waste is a collective responsibility that cannot rest solely on the council.
“Residents must assist the council to ensure proper waste management practices are followed. We aim to shift our focus toward recycling and, as part of the Mbolo project, and one of its objectives is to divert organic waste from the dumpsite.”
The Mbolo 0-Waste recycling initiative is aimed at promoting the circular economy of the organic waste value chain (organic waste segregation at source, collection, transportation, treatment, organic fertiliser commercialisation, and usage in agro ecological practices at different gardens) at Kanifing Municipal Council. It is also to reduce gas emissions and help manage the dump site more effectively.
