RDA North, GIZ/MLPS and local authorities identify solutions to overcome challenges in the Solid Waste Management sector in Falesti, Glodeni and Rascani rayons

Local public authorities from Falesti, Glodeni and Rascani rayons took part on 19 February in a consultation meeting on support modalities in solving solid waste management issues. The event was organised by North RDA at the Falesti Rayon Council with the support of ‘Modernisation of Local Public Services in the Republic of Moldova’ (MLPS) Project, implemented by the German Development Cooperation through GIZ.

At the meeting the Policy in the field of Solid Waste Management (SWM) and the obligations of the local authorities in implementing it were presented. Local elected officials of both levels and service operators from the three rayons pointed out to the challenges in the field.

North RDA specialists and GIZ/MLPS experts documented the expectations and needs of the local authorities concerning technical support for the improvement of the situation in the SWM sector. They facilitated the discussions between the participants, also presenting relevant information on the current situation in the SWM sector in the North Development Region. In addition, North RDA specialists and GIZ/MLPS experts referred to the actions carried out to solve the environment issues.  They spoke about the Ministry of Agriculture, Regional Development and Environment (MARDE) policy in the SWM field and the obligations of local authorities in implementing this policy. In this context, reference was made to policy documents and existing legal framework in this field. It was, also, specified that at the regional level a regional sector commission in the SWM field was created with GIZ support to implement environment policies, address issues concerning waste and delivery of modern and quality sanitation services to the population. Silvia Nicolaescu from MARDE and Victor Cimpoies, the executive director of Public Association ‘Cutezatorul, from Falesti are the co-chairs of the Commission.

Tamara Guvir, GIZ expert in the SWM field presented details on the current situation in the SWM sector in Falesti, Glodeni and Riscani rayons, as well as the next steps to take in overcoming the difficulties in the given sector. Among most harshest problems identified in the SWM sector, Tamara Guvir mentioned the lack of storage facilities, of temporary landfill sites and funds, weak inter-municipal cooperation and lack of service coverage, as well as unsatisfactory information of population on the waste charges and the impact of uncollected waste on people’s health.

Denis Parea, GIZ/MLPS national advisor on local public services explained that the GIZ/MLPS team of experts and consultants is willing to provide support via the Regional Sector Commission in the SWM field in developing project documentation, enhancing service operators’ capacities, organising trainings on the introduction of local charges/tariffs for waste management, adopting new public awareness measures, etc.

After the consultation meeting the participants visited the waste sorting station in Falesti town.

***********
The project ‘Modernization of Local Public Services in the Republic of Moldova’ (MLPS) is implemented by the German Development Cooperation through GIZ in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Regional Development and Environment and is financially supported by the German Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the European Union, the Romanian Government, the Swedish Government and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).