The Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism is pleading with local authorities to adhere to the country's National Solid Waste Management Strategy for the well-being of their residents.

The Ministry's Spokesperson Romeo Muyunda noted that solid waste disposal remains a big challenge in municipalities and local authorities. 

He said the waste collection system at most municipalities is not up to standard.

Muyunda added that the ministry is also concerned with the manner in which dumpsites are created.

"The ministry is really concerned with solid waste management, especially in our municipalities and local authorities where dumpsites are created without the consent of the ministry and also without adhering to the set standards as per the solid waste management strategy."

Dumping and littering within the regional councils' jurisdictions are a major problem, as in many cases there is no formal waste collection system.

"Therefore, we just want to appeal to municipalities, local authorities, businesses and individuals to always ensure that when they are establishing dumpsites they involve the ministry so that we advise them in terms of standards and also for them to acquire the necessary permits and clearance certificates."

The National Solid Waste Management Strategy was launched in 2017 to ensure that Namibia becomes the leading country in Africa in terms of standards of solid waste management by 2027. 

One of the strategy's objectives is to ensure formalised solid waste collection and management systems in all areas under the administration of regional councils and to enforce improvements in municipal waste disposal standards.