Freetown, Sierra Leone – June 8, 2026 — In a major collaborative effort to tackle waste management challenges, the Freetown City Council (FCC) and the Sierra Leone Police have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to ensure the full and effective implementation of the Solid & Liquid Waste Collection Bylaws 2024.
The partnership, announced in an official public notice dated June 4, 2026, under the #DortiMusGo (“Let’s Clean”) Initiative, aims to create a cleaner, more sustainable, and resilient Freetown through joint enforcement and public compliance.
Key Elements of the Partnership
– Joint Enforcement Team: A dedicated team comprising FCC Metropolitan Police, Sierra Leone Police, and the Judiciary has been established to actively enforce the bylaws across all wards in the city.
– Shared Mandate: The MoU formalizes cooperation to ensure residents, businesses, and institutions register with approved waste collectors, pay fees through official channels, and adhere to proper waste disposal practices.
– Focus Areas: The partnership targets illegal dumping, unapproved waste collection, street trading obstructions, and improper handling of solid and liquid waste.
Strict Compliance Requirements
Under the new bylaws now in full force:
– All households, businesses, and institutions must register with FCC-approved waste collection service providers in their respective wards or blocks.
– Waste must be placed in standardized FCC-approved bins and bags and disposed of only on scheduled collection days.
– Payments for services must be made in advance via approved platforms: Smart City Services App, USSD 715123#, Orange Money, Afrimoney, or licensed mobile money agents.
– Liquid waste (including septic tanks) can only be handled by registered providers and transported to approved facilities.
– Dumping or burning waste in drains, streets, waterways, or open spaces is strictly prohibited.
Standardized Pricing for Affordability
To promote transparency and accessibility:
– 25kg bag → NLe 15
– 50kg bag or 50L bin → NLe 25
– 120L bin → NLe 50
– Larger bins (up to 1000L) → up to NLe 500
Special rates apply for bulk, industrial, medical, and construction waste.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Violators face significant consequences, including fines of up to NLe 5,000, imprisonment for up to six months, or both.
Residents are encouraged to report violations, such as missed collections, illegal dumping, or unapproved collectors, through the FCC toll-free hotline 8244 or the Smart City Services App.
