Ashaiman dumpsite pollutes community

By Laudia Sawer
Ashaiman (GAR), Mar 25, GNA - Residents of Ashaiman New Quarters have over the past one year and some months been exposed to smoke pollution from a refuse dumping site located near the community.

The community is always filled with smoke as attendants set the garbage on fire leading to most residents contracting diseases including severe coughing, red and swollen eyes and respiratory problems.

Pupils the Ashaiman Presbyterian Basic School, which is located opposite the dumpsite, have to cover their noses and mouths anytime they were in school as their classrooms and school compound were always engulfed in smoke emanating from the site.

Residents told the media on Wednesday that they had given authorities a two-week ultimatum to evacuate the dumpsite which is located along the Ashaiman-Adjei-Kojo road or face series of demonstrations.

The residents noted that early in the morning and at about 15:00 hours, the smoke pollution in the community became intense since the garbage was normally torched around those times.

They added that apart from the smoke, houseflies and other insects from the site settled on their foods and water exposing them to sicknesses.

They also indicated that scavengers, drug peddlers and other miscreants had turned the site into their haven and attacked residents at night.

The residents expressed fear that its proximity to high tension electrical poles could also lead to a huge fire outbreak.

Meanwhile, Mr Ernest Norgbey, Member of Parliament for Ashaiman, had visited residents of the community and assured them of raising the issue in Parliament.

Mr Norgbey described the situation as a time bomb and a disaster and said the community risked an outbreak of communicable diseases.

He said urgent measures must be taken before the rainy season sets in as that would compound the plight of residents.

GNA