Freetown, 9th June 9, 2026 — As a way of strengthening urban sanitation enforcement, the Ministry of Internal Affairs has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Freetown City Council (FCC) and the Sierra Leone Police, formally committing to the implementation of the FCC Solid and Liquid Waste Collection Bylaws, 2024.
The agreement, endorsed by Internal Affairs Minister AIG (Rtd.) Morie Lengor Esq, Local Government Minister Ambassador Tamba Lamina, FCC Mayor Yvonne Aki‑Sawyer, and Inspector General of Police William Fayia Sellu, establishes a robust framework for inter‑agency cooperation.
The MOU outlines clear institutional responsibilities for enforcing sanitation regulations, supporting lawful investigations, arrests, and prosecutions, and maintaining public order where offences arise under the bylaws. It also prioritises public education and community engagement before punitive measures are applied, ensuring citizens are fully informed of their obligations.
The partnership builds on earlier deliberations of the Joint Security Taskforce (JSTF), which recognised that effective sanitation enforcement is vital not only for public health and environmental protection, but also for urban safety and national security.
Mayor Aki‑Sawyer welcomed the agreement, describing it as “a significant step toward improving waste management practices and ensuring compliance with the bylaws, thereby contributing to a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable Freetown.”
The FCC expressed appreciation for the commitment shown by all signatories, noting that the collaboration marks a turning point in municipal governance and enforcement.
Under the MOU, FCC personnel and the Sierra Leone Police will coordinate operations through the JSTF, ensuring seamless enforcement of the bylaws. The agreement is expected to accelerate progress in tackling waste management challenges that have long plagued the capital.
