Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, has turned to an Ayrshire waste management firm for advice on how to clean up its streets.
Alasdair Meldrum, managing director of Ayr-based Albion Environmental, has flown out to assess the extent of the city's waste management problem, and bid for the contract to provide solutions.
The city has a similar population to London - 7.6 million - but covers a bigger area.
"Even cleaning up a tiny bit is a big job", Meldrum told The Herald. "The infrastructure is at a bare minimum."
At the invitation of Andre Kimbuta, the governor of Kinshasa, Meldrum is to deliver a presentation showing the benefits comprehensive waste management can deliver.
He said: "The message is that public health is the starting point. Sewage, burial of the dead, clean water supply, all are necessary for the eradication of disease and creation of a healthy environment."
Ruffin Bangu Mbuandi Pwaty, provincial environmental coordinator for Kinshasa, said: "The DRC is determined to implement similar ways of working mainly in the capital city of Kinshasa and it's a fantastic opportunity for a company such as Albion Environmental, who we have been impressed by, to help us manage our waste properly."
Meldrum's mission arose through contacts from the international development industry and has been supported by South Ayrshire Council and Scottish Enterprise Ayrshire. Net Consultancy (NCL), a London-based firm specialising in regeneration projects in Africa has set up the trip. Claude Paul Chineegadoo, managing director of NCL, said: "After meeting Albion Environmental, we had no hesitation in putting this project forward to the DRC government. The DRC are working very hard to put in place the best waste policy programme and Albion can help make this happen."
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