Ouagadougou: More than a ton of waste collected during a major cleanup at the central market in L©o. Like other localities in the country, the commune of L©o marked the closing of the National Week of the Environment and Eco-citizenship (SECO) with a large-scale public sanitation operation this Saturday, July 4, 2026. Initiated by the Environmental and Eco-citizenship Unit (CECO) and chaired by the Secretary General of the commune, Samba Zana, representing the president of the special delegation, this activity made it possible to rid the central market and its surroundings of more than a ton of waste.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the mobilization was widespread from the early hours of the morning. Members of the CECO, civil society organizations (citizen watch, youth and women's movements), defense and security forces (municipal police, national police, water and forest agents), as well as local shopkeepers, all pitched in to clean up the commercial heart of the town.
According to the Secretary General of the L©o municipality, Samba Zana, who is also the second vice-president of the environmental unit, this operation is perfectly aligned with government directives aimed at the continuous improvement of the population's living environment. "This activity is part of Environment Week, a government initiative that encourages every citizen and every municipality to improve their living environment. This involves reforestation, ditch clearing, and sanitation efforts, in order to make our environment healthier, cleaner, and more pleasant," stated Mr. Zana.
On the technical and logistical front, the municipal authorities deployed targeted material resources, supported by citizen engagement. "This morning we mobilized tricycles - acquired through the Presidential Initiative for Community Development - with the help of volunteers and members of our cell to carry out this large-scale operation," the Secretary General explained.
Comrade Zana estimated the volume of garbage removed from the drainage canals and the public square at over a ton, emphasizing that all the bulky waste clogging the canals had been transported to the final landfill site. He also stressed the sustainability of this initiative. "While the official week ends today, the sanitation and reforestation efforts will continue. With the support of our partners and the municipality, and thanks to the community's commitment, we will intensify awareness campaigns and carry out even more concrete actions."
For the participants, this operation is of paramount importance in terms of both health and the economy. Latifatou N©bi©/Nignan, the community coordinator for women in L©o, highlighted the direct impact of cleanliness on family health and the fight against malaria. 'What motivated me this morning was seeing how much cleaning makes our city beautiful, while also protecting us from disease. By eliminating stagnant water that remains in the same place for more than three days, we prevent mosquito breeding and avoid malaria. If we get bitten, all the money earned at the market goes towards healthcare. By cleaning, we save money that can be used for the development of our families,' the women's coordinator explained.
Comrade Latifatou also launched an appeal for an inclusive contribution, inviting even those who cannot physically sweep to support the logistical effort by donating equipment (shovels, brooms) or by providing financial support for fuel for collection vehicles.
Among the direct beneficiaries, the initiative was met with great enthusiasm. Sadou Ou©draogo, a shopkeeper located near the bus station, expressed his gratitude to the local authorities. 'I am truly delighted with this activity this morning. I thank the authorities very much for this commendable initiative. We encourage them to continue helping us and we pledge to support their actions because they are there for us, and we are there for them,' he said happily. The shopkeeper promised to immediately consult with his neighbors to ensure the continuation of the cleanup in front of their respective shops and homes.
Although the National Thematic Week officially ended on July 4, L©o's Environmental and Eco-citizenship Unit intends to capitalize on this mobilization to sustainably integrate sanitation habits into the daily lives of the people of Sissili.