LIBERIA: Sanitation Problem as garbage swallows Gobachop market
…Marketers Seek Govt’s Intervention – By: WASH R&E “MEDIA” Network – The issue of sanitation at the popular Gobachop Market in the commercial district of Paynesville is a serious problem confronting marketers as well as community residents.
Another View of the Huge Stock pile of dirt at Gobachop market
The market is almost taken over by a heap of garbage, prompting marketers to alarm over the situation.
The marketers explained that the garbage is causing serious embarrassment and health hazard for them.
They blamed streets boys popularly referred to as ‘zogos’ and other residents for the situation, claiming that they often take the garbage from the various communities and dump it at the market dumpsite.
The marketers explained that whenever they try to prevent them from dumping dirt at the site, it usually turns into a commotion.
The marketers at the same time accused authorities of the Liberia Marketing Association of doing nothing to ensure that the garbage is removed.
Garbage at Gobachop market in Paynesville
According to them, the LMA authorities are only interested in collecting money from them as selling fees.
The marketers called on government, through authorities of the Paynesville City Corporation to come to their aid by removing the stockpile of garbage in the area.
When contacted, the Secretary General of Gobachop Market, Machine Jallah confirmed that the LMA is responsible to remove the garbage within their various markets including the Gobachop Market.
He said the huge stockpile of garbage is not caused by the marketers alone, but also residents of the various communities within the vicinity of the market.
John Kendor , Gobachop Community Secretary General
Mr. Jallah said the community residents do not have a designated site to dispose of garbage.
He disclosed that the residents hire the service of some unscrupulous individuals who later take the garbage to the dumpsite at Gobachop Market.
He revealed that the Liberia Marketing Association has a Partnership Agreement with the Monrovia City Corporation to ensure that the dirt is removed on a timely basis.
Machine Jallah, Secretary General of Gobachop Market
Mr. Jallah further indicated that because of the bad road condition leading to the official dumpsite, the MCC is unable to remove the garbage on time.
The LMA official also disclosed that the leadership is formulating a partnership program with the Liberia National Police to assist in providing security for the market, especially at the dumpsite to prevent community residents and those alleged criminals from dumping garbage at the site following the removal of the huge garbage.
He also indicated that the issue of garbage management is one of the major challenges that the PCC and LMA are confronted with.
Partial view of the Garbage in the Gobachop community
Mr. Jallah is also calling on government and partners to come to their aid to remove the garbage because they as leaders of the market are unable to remove the garbage for now.
Also, speaking to WASH Journalists, Gobachop Community Secretary, John Kondor confirmed that community residents are contributing to the huge stockpile of garbage within the LMA official dumpsite.
He said due to the lack of garbage site for residents, they are using the LMA site to dispose of their garbage.
Mr. Kondor further narrated that the community leadership is working closely with the LMA to find a solution in addressing the garbage problem that is confronting both the community and the marketers.
He admitted that the huge garbage is causing serious health problem for the community, indicating that most of the residents are getting ill on a daily basis due to the garbage.
