On Monday, May 5, 2025, the Mayor of Freetown, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, joined by FCC’s Sanitation and Waste Management team, held a consultative meeting with chairladies and chairmen of markets across the city to introduce and explain to them the newly adopted Freetown City Council Solid & Liquid Waste Collection Byelaws, 2024.

These updated regulations aim to modernise and formalise waste management systems throughout Freetown, while also supporting job creation through private sector engagement. As outlined in the new regulations, Freetown has been divided into eight blocks, each comprising six wards. Each block will be managed by a designated private waste management service provider responsible for collecting waste from households, institutions, and businesses. All residents and commercial entities will be required to register for and pay for waste collection services under this structured system. While updating the market leaders, Mayor Aki-Sawyerr announced that the new waste management system will be launched alongside a city-wide 48-day deep cleaning campaign, covering all 48 wards under an operation;  #DortiMusGo. Recognising the vital role market women play in maintaining sanitation, the engagement also sought to secure their full support and active participation as key champions of the initiative.