Mauritania's Interior Minister, Mokhtar Ould Ahmed Bouceif, has expressed disappointment with the performance of ARMA, the company responsible for cleaning Nouakchott. He stated that the company's services are not meeting expectations, citing the persistence of waste in several neighborhoods and streets. The minister made these comments during a meeting at the ministry to evaluate the situation and examine the company's performance.
The minister emphasized the need to address the shortcomings and improve the company's adherence to contractual obligations by the end of December. He noted that despite efforts by authorities, sectors, and partners, the execution of the contract has been lacking. Ould Bouceif stressed that the goal is to ensure the cleanliness of the capital, either by correcting ARMA's performance or exploring alternative solutions.
The minister has given ARMA until the end of December to improve its services. He also called for the exploration of alternative options to avoid delays in case a new contract is needed. To address the issue, Ould Bouceif has ordered several measures, including the development of a plan to evacuate accumulated waste and the utilization of all available waste disposal sites.
As part of the measures, the minister has decided to make logistical means and equipment available to the three Nouakchott walis starting from November 2. This move aims to enhance coordination and interventions in the cleanliness sector. The walis have been tasked with presenting concrete proposals for permanent solutions to the cleanliness crisis.
The minister's directives also include an assessment of the Tifirit landfill and an evaluation of its readiness. The results of the interventions and proposals will be presented during an evaluation meeting scheduled for November 8, 2026. The meeting will help determine the effectiveness of the measures implemented to address the cleanliness issue in Nouakchott.
Ould Bouceif's comments highlight the government's concerns about the state of cleanliness in the capital. The issue has been a persistent problem, with waste accumulation affecting several areas. The minister's call for alternative solutions suggests that the government may consider changing service providers if ARMA's performance does not improve.
The government's efforts to address the cleanliness crisis in Nouakchott are ongoing. The minister's directives aim to improve the situation in the short term while exploring long-term solutions. The effectiveness of these measures will be evaluated in the coming weeks, and further actions will be taken as necessary to ensure the cleanliness of the capital.
Key points
- The Mauritanian government has given ARMA, the company responsible for cleaning Nouakchott, until the end of December to improve its services.
- The government has ordered several measures to address the cleanliness issue, including the development of a plan to evacuate accumulated waste and the utilization of all available waste disposal sites.
- The minister has tasked the three Nouakchott walis with presenting concrete proposals for permanent solutions to the cleanliness crisis.
