Refuse dump causes fright in Mafoni, Lamisula

Mr Boyi Gagaya, a father of four and a civil servant, while decrying the action, laments that, “the blockage has caused many accidents in the past because children who go to the dump site to scavenge the rubbish often forget that they are on the road. They are at times knocked down by motorists while […]

Mr Boyi Gagaya, a father of four and a civil servant, while decrying the action, laments that, “the blockage has caused many accidents in the past because children who go to the dump site to scavenge the rubbish often forget that they are on the road. They are at times knocked down by motorists while playing. Also, whenever the wind blows, the entire atmosphere is filled with smell, dust and wastes. The implication is that we could be exposed to diseases.”

The dumping site beside Lamisula Police Station and officers’ quarters is also located opposite a hospital. Over the years, individuals and organisations, have advocated intervention and constantly complained to concerned authorities. Currently, the state government through the Ministry of Environment is evacuating the huge pile of wastes, leaving it beside the road and police quarters.

Other residents who spoke suggested the need for government to enact and enforce policies against arbitrary dumping of refuse which has become very common in Mafoni and Lamisula wards. They however warned that government must first provide designated dumping sites across the metropolis. Kanem Trust investigation shows that absence of waste management system may have contributed to the problem.