What is the role of the community in environmental sustainability

Poor storm drainage system

Just the other day i was watching a talk show program on the Zambian Broadcasting channel and the discussion really caught my attention. They were looking at the role of the city councils in service delivery. The major issue of contention where the poor delivery services as was said by the member of the communities that were calling. During the course of program there was a video clip that was shown of uncollected waste that was piling up next to the common market which from the report was were most of the people bought their vegetables. The waste was so much that it was now spilling into the stalls that were in the vicinity. Outbreaks of cholera and typhoid related diseases where also mentioned. in response the representatives of the local authority said the problem was that they had just introduced a new strategy that looked into the collection of the waste and removal of the waste, only that they needed capitalisation of their operations and were encouraging the local communities to pay their bills as well as the waste collection bill such that they would be able to offer the service. A caller then came in and fuming at the authorities cited how the local authorities were leaving some areas which had poor road and the waste was piling up. Hence a tug off war of words erupted which meant that by the end of the program there was no solution between the two parties involved.

Piling Solid Waste

Based on this it was important to note a number of issues which just got me concerned and ask where is the role of the different parties in this situation. Firstly i wonder when the owners of the stalls continue to dump the waste on an already filled container does it not cross the mind of the individual that there is something that needs to be done. I know it is the role of the city council but does that mean people are willing to put their lives at risk waiting for the "incompetent" councils to come and do their job. This further made me realise that the individualistic personality that exists in most people in Africa will always be a threat to environmental sustainability. My thinking would be the owners of the stalls would come together and raise money that would see their area cleared of this waste then follow up with the council by either not paying for that month's bill for that service. At least the problem has been solved unlike waiting as the amount increases which will mean a greater cost.

Inaccessible road

Secondly was the issue of the non collection of the waste in areas that were not accessible. Hence the reason why i feel that when living in these areas there is need to understand the area and not to shift the blame on others and feel as though you are not part of the problem. If you build in an area that has not been serviced or in most cases in developing areas how do you expect the service provision to be as that in planned areas. It is time communities take up the challenge and realise they are part of the problem.

Once living in Harare the street lights where we were living were not working and i found it funny when one individual said "I will not contribute to fix them that is the job of the council." To me that was not justified as the risk of theft and robbery was not on the council but to him.

In conclusion there is need to have communities and property owners taking up their role in promoting sustainable utilisation of the different environmental services. For more information you can contact us on kudzai@urbansolutions.olaari.com and will will be happy to provide solutions to the problems that you will be having.