Official launch yesterday at the town hall of an awareness video as part of the project to improve the solid waste management system in Antananarivo (GESDA).
Citizen commitment
The initiative, carried by the Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (MEAH), in collaboration with the urban commune of Antananarivo (CUA) and the municipal sanitation company (SMA), aims to strengthen citizen engagement around the payment of land tax on Building property (IFPB), the main source of financing for household waste collection services in the capital.
Important challenges
The water, sanitation and hygiene sector (EAH) faces important challenges in Madagascar, both technically and vivo. This mobilization is part of a dynamic of achieving sustainable development objectives (SDGs), in particular SDG N ° 6, which advocates universal access to safe, sustainable and fair sanitation services. Through component III of Gesda, dedicated to communication, the new video highlights the often invisible but essential work of SMA agents, who work day and night on the collection, sorting and transport of waste under often precarious conditions.
Recovery rate
The video, accessible free of charge on digital and social networks of the MEAH, CUA and SMA, is intended to raise awareness of the need to pay IFPB. Despite the multiple CUA efforts, the recovery rate remains low, around 23 %, jeopardizing the sustainability of the service. By putting in the spotlight, “the shadow workers”, the project intends to arouse collective awareness, recalling that the proper functioning of the system depends on the participation of all citizens, owners as tenants.
Culture of responsibility
In this same spirit, various communication media have been developed such as posters broadcast in the 192 Fokontany de la Cua, health centers (CSB1 and CSB2), public primary schools, but also radio and television spots, as well as educational leaflets detailing the roles and missions of SMA. This strategy aims to build a culture of collective responsibility in the face of waste management, while promoting behavior that respects the urban environment.
Phase III
The GESDA project, which is currently starting in its phase III until November 2026, continues its actions through three additional components including the improvement of collection and transport, rehabilitation of the Andralanitra discharge site, and formulation of long -term action plans. Manuals of good practices and technical guides are being developed to allow a generalization of the model in other municipalities. In conclusion, project partners, including JICA and Japanese experts, reaffirm their commitment to sustainable and inclusive sanitation, in the service of public health and well-being of future generations.
Nadia R.