The city of Pointe-Noire wants to give biodiversity the space it needs

Pointe-Noire, the administrative capital of the Republic of the Congo, is also the country's economic lung, with an important contribution made by the deepwater port and the oil terminal. Today it must take steps to meet the threats to its coastline, natural areas and marine resources. In this interview, M. Jean-François Kando, Deputy Mayor of Pointe-Noire, tells us about the measures which will enable the city to respond to these threats and "Protect Biodiversity". The City of Pointe-Noire has been an AIVP member since 1995 AIVP – A report published recently by UN–Habitat identified a serious challenge created by waste, oil, plastic bags and bottles along the shores of Pointe-Noire. This marine pollution is harmful to the animal and plant species that live on the coastline.What policies can be implemented to fight coastal pollution? M. Jean-François Kando, Deputy Mayor of Pointe-Noire – We need to find funding to set up a cleaning and waste management system to organise the collection, transport, storage, sorting, treatment, recycling and re-use of waste within the city limits, to achieve several aims: ⦁ fight against the swamping of nature by waste;⦁ anticipate, preserve and enhance the city's existing capabilities by creating transit areas for household waste;⦁ reorganise informal collectors in district inaccessible to waste-collection trucks⦁ design and implement a new master plan for waste transport routes to landfill sites;⦁ purchase modern equipment for the desanding and flushing of gutters and channels;⦁ strengthen law enforcement legislation;⦁ promote eco-tourism. AIVP – According to studies by the National Centre for Forest and Fauna Inventory (CNIAF), concrete constructions are threatening the mangroves of Mazra and Loya. Mangrove swamps are not only an essential breeding ground for fish and…