Disaster Looms At Oblogo Landfill

AN EPIDEMIC is looming at Oblogo near Weija in Accra following the overflow of the landfill site in the community.

Residents fear the presence of the huge open trench overflowing with garbage could lead to the outbreak of cholera and other dangerous diseases if left uncovered as it poses a serious threat to their lives.

Even though the landfill site is full, garbage trucks continue to discharge wastes materials into it.

Elizabeth Quaye, a resident told DAILY GUIDE that despite several warnings from Ghana Environmental Watch, an advocacy organization among others asking for the site to be closed down, it is still in operation. 

 'There is no buffer zone between the dumping site and we the residents are living about 5km within the vicinity of the site,' she added.

According to her, the stench from the site especially when it rains and the noise from bulldozers are a constant nuisance.  

She indicated that the community is on the windward side of the site making the stench widespread even in the farthest parts within the area.

'There is also the problem of mosquitoes and flies which have contributed to cholera and excessive malaria outbreaks in this area.'  

Recently, Oblogo youth took to the streets in protest against the neglect of the community, compelling Minister of Local Government, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo to visit them and plead for them to be calm.

With the private compost plant at Kuntunse completed, it is not clear when a directive will be issued for waste disposal companies to redirect waste to the first recycling plant in the country owned by Zoomlion Ghana Limited.  

A school teacher who pleaded anonymity told the paper 

'Just last week three students suffered from cholera outbreaks in the community school. We have been complaining to the authorities to relocate this landfill site, but they refuse to listen.'    

She pleaded with the EPA to live up to its constitutional responsibility by acting urgently to halt operations of the Oblogo dumping site.  

Meanwhile officials managing the site have explained that they sprayed it regularly to reduce the bad odour. 

They said government was putting measures in place to recycle the garbage.  

By Portia Anaman