City calls for proper rubbish disposal

 THE National Capital District Commission says the ineffective waste collection in the city is due to the public not working with city authorities.

NCDC waste management division manager Joshua Sam said that during the Sea Web lecture on educating journalists on waste management on Tuesday.

Sam said the lack of co-operation by the public to manage waste had resulted in rubbish lying everywhere in the city.

“The public is not storing the wastes in containers so it can be collected easily by the waste collectors,” Sam said.

“The residents should put their waste in the plastic bags or bins so the workers can collect the waste and dump them.”

Sam said residents were not paying for rubbish bills to support the waste collection effort in the city. 

“Waste management is a public utility (service) like water and electricity, and people must pay for the service to sustain it,” he said.

“The Public Health Act 1973 gives a shared responsibility for the public to work with the authorities in managing waste in the city. Sadly this not happening.”

He said the waste could have harsh impacts on our health, environment and economy.

Sam said waste blocking drains could cause overflow during rains and waste break-down released greenhouse gases contributing to climate change and many more.

He said a country with ineffective waste management could harm the tourism industry, thus affecting the economy.