The Algerian province of Béjaïa has allocated 2.8 billion dinars from its 2019 budget to improve environmental conditions and cleanliness. The funds will be used to purchase waste collection equipment, including trash cans, for local communities. This move is part of a broader effort by the province's administration to prioritize environmental issues. The allocation aims to address the growing problem of pollution in the region.
A significant portion of the allocated funds, 600 million dinars, has been set aside for associations participating in a cleanliness competition launched by the province's administration. The competition, titled "For My Village, I Commit!", seeks to encourage community involvement in maintaining a clean environment. The province's administration hopes to raise awareness about the importance of environmental conservation and promote a sense of responsibility among citizens.
Despite these efforts, the current state of the environment in Béjaïa province is dire. Many areas are plagued by pollution, with trash often dumped indiscriminately in streets and public spaces. The lack of effective waste management has become a pressing issue, affecting both urban and rural areas. The province's administration acknowledges the severity of the problem and is working to address it through a combination of institutional and societal approaches.
To tackle the issue, the province's administration plans to acquire thousands of trash cans with a capacity of 240 liters each. These will be distributed to municipalities to replace damaged or stolen containers and address the shortage of waste collection equipment. The administration also aims to work with local communities and civil society organizations to develop a comprehensive approach to waste management.
The province's administration had initially planned to establish a public industrial and commercial establishment (EPIC) to manage waste effectively. However, the project was abandoned due to administrative constraints. The Béjaïa commune's administration has since announced plans to create its own EPIC, but the project has yet to materialize. In the meantime, private companies have been contracted to handle waste collection in the area.
According to Mehenni Haddadou, the head of the province's administration, the cleanliness competition reflects the administration's commitment to prioritizing environmental conservation. The competition aims to engage citizens in the effort to maintain a clean and healthy environment. The administration hopes that this initiative will help raise awareness about the importance of environmental protection and promote a culture of cleanliness.
The province's administration is working to address the challenges facing waste management in Béjaïa. With the allocated funds and the planned initiatives, authorities hope to improve the cleanliness and environmental conditions in the region. The success of these efforts will depend on the effective implementation of the planned projects and the level of community involvement in maintaining a clean environment.
Key points
- Algerian authorities allocate 2.8 billion dinars to improve waste management and cleanliness in Béjaïa province.
