Need for public and private sector partnership in solid waste management

Abstract

Solid waste management is an essential public service that benefits all the urban residents. It is not feasible to exclude from service those who do not pay because public cleanliness and the safe disposal of wastes are essential to public health and environmental protection. In the urban market of Nairobi, solid waste management is a public good to which Nairobi City Council is typically responsible. This does not however mean that the city council has to accomplish the task of solid waste service delivery entirely with its own staff, equipment and monies. This is where the role of private sector comes into play. This study discusses the possibility of private sector participation in service delivery. The study poses the question of whether and how to involve the formal private sector in the provision of waste management in the markets. The paper describes the inadequacies of public provision for SWM in Wakulima and City market and discusses the possibility of private sector participation in service delivery. The study therefore, poses the question of whether and how to involve the formal private sector in the provision of waste management in the market. The description of solid waste management in the study areas draws on researchers questions and interviews with 66 market vendors, 6 NCC officials and 6 official from the private firm. Market vendors and NCC officials' response revealed that the existing state of solid waste management is far from satisfactory. The study ends by recommending the need for public - private sector participation in waste management and suggesting contracting as the best mode of involving the private sector. The study also recommends the creation of a policy that will clearly define the nature of the relationship between the government and the private participants. Creation of a contract management department in Nairobi City Council was also recommended by the study.