South West Mayors Take Measures Against Plastic Pollution

By Kang Brita Ebude*

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Mayors from 32 councils and city councils in the South West Region of Cameroon have resolved to take more stringent measures to fight against plastic pollution in their respective municipalities and city councils. This resolution was arrived at following a 2-day workshop on “Plastic Waste Management; Laws and Policies for Councils in the South West Region”, July 17 to 18, 2024, at the Buea Council. The Foundation for Environment and Development (FEDEV) organized this workshop in  partnership with Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide (ELAW), United Cities and Councils of Cameroon (UCCC), the Buea Council, under the auspices of the Ministry of Environment Protection of Nature and Sustainable Development (MINEPDED).

The workshop aimed to build the capacity of councils and enable them effectively carry out actions against the fast growing plastic crisis, increase awareness of the impact of  plastic pollution and  create a platform for sharing experiences.

Speaking at the official opening of the workshop, on behalf of the Minister of Environment Protection of Nature and Sustainable Development, the South West Regional Delegate of MINEPDED, Set Ekwadi,  enlightened the mayors on their role  and responsibility in handling waste in their municipalities. The MINEPDED-SW boss noted that “Not all plastics are banned in Cameroon. Only single use plastic are banned”.

The Regional Delegate for  the Ministry of Decentralization and Local Development (MINDEVEL),  Mr. Agbor Teddy,  called on the local leaders the leverage the lessons learnt from the workshop to improve on the waste management situation of their cities and municipalities.

The mayors, city mayors and other local leaders were enlightened on different Laws on plastic waste management  using the 1996 Environmental Law and the  Joint Ministerial  Decree of 2012 amongst others. The local leaders also gained a better understanding on their responsibilities and how they can better manage waste in their areas and ensure the protection of the environment.

The mayors attributed their ineffectiveness in management the waste crisis in their municipalities to the lack of qualified staff  on plastic waste management, storage facilities for collected plastic waste, limited financial resources  and lack of knowledge  on the sorting at the base.  They resolved to promote inter- municipal coordination between the city councils and municipal councils, acquire  more dumping sites, design and implement proper waste management plans, and to partner with plastic recycling companies to overcome  the waste management crisis in their respective areas. The local leaders requested that such workshops be organized frequently to enhance their  capacity and that of other stakeholders .

The workshop gave the local leaders a fresh perspective on waste management. “I will have to implore my Hygiene  and Sanitation Department not just to collect money from defaulters but also to sensitize them about waste management“ The Mayor of Limbe 1, Madam Mbwayo Eposi Florence, said.  The  Mayor of Menji, Professor Nkemasong now sees in the plastic waste management challenge, “employment  opportunities for the municipality.

Plastic waste and solid waste management is a serious a crisis throughout Cameroon. From the smally cities to large towns, the situation is the same. Statistics from MINEPDED indicates that 600,000 tons of plastic wastes are produced every year in Cameroon, with only 20 % recycled. This means that about 1.5 million kg of plastics are produced every day in this country with only about 300,000 kg recycled. Thus, 1.2 million kg of plastics produced daily end up polluting the environment. With the training of the mayors and city mayors, it is hoped that the situation will be much better in the South West Region of the country.

UB Journalism Student on Internship