The WOP between the Commune de Dschang (Cameroon) and the Commune de Tiassalé (Ivory Coast) was initiated in March 2014. Its main objective is to share knowledge about solid wastes management. The focus of this partnership is to improve sanitation in Tiassale through collaborating with Dschang in solid waste management. This problem of solid waste management is particularly significant in areas that are not served by the solid waste collectors. This leads the solid waste to clog the drainage system and cause sewer overflows and flooding. In this context therefore, management of solid waste is also very important if water sources are to be protected since solid waste can also pollute water sources.
Objectives
The WOP between the Commune de Dschang of Cameroon and the Commune de Tiassalé of Ivory Coast was initiated in March 2014 with the main objective of diagnosing performance improvement opportunities for sustainable and integrated solid waste management and training the employees within those identified priority areas.
Findings from the benchmarking visit
• Dschang has experience in cooperating with other utilities
• The community of Dschang has high levels of safely and organisation when it comes to solid waste management
• There is a well planned and managed sand fill in Dschang which provides a learning point for Tiassale
• The existence of a composting project that helps to reduce the quantity of solid waste and produces fertilizers which are also a source of revenue. Composting is also being promoted at family level
• Involvement of stakeholders in solid waste management and availability of necessary tools like tricycles and trucks due to support by both national and international partners.
Findings from the diagnostic visit
• Solid waste is not collected and just burnt under high voltage electricity lines
• There are a number of youth groups available and can be mobilized to collect the solid waste
• Limited technical capacity of staff to manage solid waste
• Inadequate legislation on solid waste management as well as inadequate funding
Priority actions to be implemented
• Improving the function of management in addressing the needs of the communities on solid waste management
• Operationalisation of the garbage collection services in areas previously unserved by collectors
• Establishing a system of composting garbage as part of corporate social responsibility
• Use of solid waste to produce fertilizers which can then be marketed to generate revenue
Achievements to date
• Training workshop on solid waste management conducted
• Acquisition of land for construction of two discharge and composting sites ongoing
• Support of the ANASUR to build a municipal landfill: letter already sent to the Ministry of the environment and sustainable development
• Establishment of garbage collection centers where households can take their waste in gunny bags for final collection by the municipality
• Introduction of community sensitization meetings
• Introduction of garbage collection from congested areas using tri-cycles
Challenges encountered
• Limited number of people that can be trained due to logistics challenges
• Delays in cash transfers affect scheduling of implementation
• Non-formalization of the focal point of our WoP coordination always causes of procrastination with respect to those who must follow the activities
Lessons Learnt
• Community involvement is key to the success of any project
• The recycling of waste by composting is profitable for the production of fertilizers which are marketable and also environment friendly approach.