Mounting refuse dump sparks health concerns
The only dump site in Dome, a town in the Ho Municipality of the Volta Region serving an over population of people has been choked with heaps of garbage overflowing the designated area for dumping of waste. This site visibly had just a waste container resulting in the overflow of waste. Though another container had been added recently, the condition of the dump site hasn’t improved for the better.
“When the garbage overflows, the stench becomes unbearable especially when it rains” a resident cried out
For what seems to be a timely intervention, the individuals in charge of the dump site tend to set the refuse ablaze to create room for more. As it burns, plumes of smoke fills the atmosphere prompting concerns about health risks for residents particularly those in close proximity to the dump site. As openly burning of garbage releases highly toxic pollutants capable of poisoning local communities, severely damaging respiratory health and contaminating the environment. “The amount of smoke that comes into our rooms when the refuse is burnt can not be overemphasized” said Mr B, a resident.
Cherubim Kofi Zigah is the Assembly member for Wusu Electoral Area in Dome. He asserted that a lot has been done to curtail the situation but all efforts proved futile as waste management officials, ZOOM LION delay in picking up the waste bins from the dump site which results in the spillage of the refuse.
Speaking to Howedey.com News, Mr Zigah also highlighted the behavioral pattern of his residents towards hygiene as a causative organism to the situation. “Announcements have been made on several occasions for them to keep the refuse at home pending when the cans are emptied but they don’t adhere to the directives given” he indicated.
As to whether punitive measures are employed to ensure compliance to the laws of the Assembly to ensure proper hygienic ways of sustaining the refuse dump, the Assembly member said there are punitive measures in the Assembly’s bylaws but the enforcement lies with the Municipal Environmental Health Office, MEHO.
Immediate response is expected from public officials and policy makers, waste management officials, ZOOM LION, MEHO and the residents to salvage the situation so as to prevent the community from the outbreak of deadly diseases associated with poor hygiene.
As the debate of who is and is not effectively discharging their duties intensify, one can not ignore the heaps of garbage causing health risks in the community. It is a time bomb waiting for explosion and when it does, posterity would not forget in a hurry.
Author: Joyce Owusu
