On September 28, 2026, Libreville Mayor Eugène M'Ba, accompanied by his deputies, the mayor of the 1st arrondissement, and technical teams from the municipality, conducted a sensitization and cleanup campaign in the Louis Quarter. The initiative aims to restore sanitation and eliminate irregular occupations of public spaces. The campaign started at the Mère et Enfant Jeanne Ebori Hospital and covered several areas, including the No Stress zone, a pharmacy, Gabon Pain bakery, the Louis statue, and the local market.

During the campaign, the officials interacted directly with local traders and residents. The tour revealed numerous shortcomings, including degraded facades, unauthorized constructions and installations, and abandoned vehicle wrecks on public roads. The authorities compiled a straightforward report of the issues. Mayor M'Ba emphasized that this initial phase focuses on education, followed by a monitoring phase and potential sanctions against repeat offenders.

According to the mayor, fines for infractions can range from 24,000 to 10 million CFA francs, depending on the nature of the offense and applicable regulations. The campaign follows high-level instructions from Gabon's Head of State, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, and Vice-President Hermann Immongault, aiming to make Libreville a clean and dignified capital, comparable to other African and Western cities.

The Louis Quarter cleanup campaign is part of a broader effort to improve sanitation and public space management in Libreville. Mayor M'Ba and his team are committed to enforcing regulations and educating residents and traders about their responsibilities. The officials' presence and engagement with the community demonstrate the municipality's resolve to address these issues.

Local residents and traders have been given a 48-hour ultimatum to renovate degraded facades and rectify other issues. Those who fail to comply will face penalties. The municipality's approach combines public education and enforcement, indicating a comprehensive strategy to tackle the problems.

Gabon's government has prioritized making Libreville a model capital, and this campaign is a key part of that effort. By collaborating with local stakeholders and enforcing regulations, the authorities aim to create a cleaner, more orderly urban environment.

The Libreville municipality's campaign in the Louis Quarter sets a precedent for future initiatives in other areas of the city. With continued community engagement and effective enforcement, the authorities hope to achieve significant improvements in sanitation and public space management.

Key points

  • Libreville Mayor Eugène M'Ba leads a cleanup and sensitization campaign in the Louis Quarter to restore sanitation and eliminate irregular occupations of public spaces.
  • The campaign follows high-level instructions from Gabon's Head of State and Vice-President to make Libreville a clean and dignified capital.
  • Fines for infractions can range from 24,000 to 10 million CFA francs, depending on the nature of the offense and applicable regulations.

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SaharaWire Newsroom
SaharaWire

Reporting for SaharaWire from the Nairobi bureau.