Matam, Louga, Saint-Louis: Three Key Stops for Waste Management and Development.
As part of his supervisory and development missions, the Director General of the National Waste Management Company (SONAGED), Khalifa Ababacar Sarr, recently undertook a tour of northern Senegal, continuing a series of visits that began in the central part of the country. This tour, which started in the locality of Dara Diolof, allowed the Director General and his team to assess the state of infrastructure and the needs of local populations in terms of waste management.
Important Findings in Matam
The Matam region was a crucial stop during this tour. Mr. Sarr noted an uneven distribution of human resources across the various localities, with 23 staff assigned to Matam, 19 to Ourossogui, and only 10 to Ranérou. “This region deserves more consideration,” he emphasized, advocating for the establishment of Matam as a regional delegation of SONAGED, given the distance from the Saint-Louis and Louga sites.
During his visit, the Director General also had the opportunity to meet with local authorities, including the mayors, to discuss challenges and opportunities in waste management.
Saint-Louis and Louga: Memories and Opportunities
After Matam, the SONAGED team traveled to Saint-Louis, where they visited the Gandon landfill. The Louga region also hosted the delegation. For Mr. Sarr, Louga is a region that brings back many memories, particularly of the years when the regional council deployed several NGOs to improve living conditions for the population. However, he stressed that waste management remains a specific domain that requires special attention.
The tour provided valuable insights into the needs of collaborators and partners while strengthening ties with local communities. Mr. Sarr also mentioned the growing interest of private investors, both national and international, in the sector, with projects such as the one in Gandiol, threatened by the advance of the Saint-Louis breach, where investments exceeding 2 billion CFA francs have been made.
Towards a Solidarity and Sustainable Economy
In conclusion to this tour, the Director General of SONAGED called for a solidarity economy to support the development of the regions visited. “We must create wealth and help young Senegalese to succeed,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of transforming waste management into a revenue-generating sector. Mr. Sarr also encouraged local authorities to join forces to invest in structuring projects capable of transforming local economies.
With this tour in northern Senegal, SONAGED reaffirms its commitment to supporting regions in waste management while exploring new partnership opportunities for sustainable development.
