By Ibrahim S. Bangura
Sierra Leone – November 25, 2025: The Mayor of Freetown Municipality has officially handed over the Kingtom Dumpsite to Sierra Evergreen, marking a significant milestone in the city’s drive toward improved waste management, environmental sustainability, and public health.
The handover ceremony, held at the dumpsite, brought together councilors, municipal officials, representatives of Sierra Evergreen, community stakeholders, and environmental advocates. The initiative signals the start of a long-awaited cleanup, rehabilitation, and modernization project aimed at transforming the decades-old site into a safer and more efficient waste management facility.
For years, Kingtom Dumpsite has been associated with uncontrolled waste, fire outbreaks, air pollution, and severe health risks to nearby communities. In her keynote address, the Mayor described the handover as “a turning point for Freetown’s environmental future,” emphasizing that rapid population growth has strained the city’s waste management systems.
“What we are witnessing today is the beginning of a new era. By partnering with Sierra Evergreen, we are improving waste disposal systems and prioritizing the health, dignity, and welfare of our citizens. Freetown deserves clean air, clean spaces, and a future where environmental hazards are minimized,” she said.
She highlighted the city’s Transform Freetown initiative, launched in 2019, which focuses on tackling plastic waste. The Mayor stressed that every citizen must take responsibility for waste management, either by registering with a service provider or managing waste themselves.
The Mayor further noted that waste has economic value, explaining that Sierra Evergreen’s partnership will generate livelihoods, particularly for youth, while enhancing health and resilience. She assured residents that by next year, the facility will be fully operational, with plastic recycling upgraded to produce pellets. Workers will be trained, equipped, and managed under a structured plan, with security measures in place to ensure responsible operations.
Chadi Ghaovi, Director of Sierra Evergreen, praised the Mayor’s leadership and commitment to the environment. He pledged that the company, working closely with Freetown City Council, would transform the site—often referred to as the “Black Mountain”—into a thriving green valley, symbolizing environmental progress and hope for future generations.
Community members welcomed the initiative, expressing optimism that it would reduce smoke, odors, and health risks. Resident Mariam Kamara said, “We want to breathe clean air again. This project gives us hope that our children will live in a safer environment.”
The ceremony concluded with a symbolic handover of the dumpsite, reinforcing the municipality’s commitment to sustainable waste management solutions.