LIBERIA: Garbage disposal at Coal Field Community
…..A Situation of Concern – By: WASH R&E (Media) Network –
Continuous huge piles of garbage at the Coal Field Community in Redlight, Paynesville
The only functional hand pump, closed to the stockpiles of garbage
Garbage site used for open defecation, as seen in the photo
The Coal Field Community is located closed to the Redlight General Market along the Pipeline Road Community in Paynesville, and inhabited by especially low income earners, most of whom are squatters.
The WASH Reporters & Editors Network of Liberia, in its second phase of the Exclusive Media Coverage on Sanitation sponsored by WaterAid in Liberia and Sierra Leone, observed stockpiles of garbage in the Coal Field Community and solicited views of the residents on the garbage situation.
A resident, Moses Zubah described the constant disposal of garbage in the Community as a threat to a healthy and conducive environment.
Mr. Zubah said the situation is worsening on a daily basis, leaving the garbage to spread on the main road often impeding the movement of vehicles and pedestrians.
Some of the bye-stander residents who could not hold back their frustrations alleged that the garbage site is also regrettably used for open defecation by some children and the elderly who lack latrine facilities.
Two private security officers, Archie Saydee and Amos Korvah said they spend hours every day at the dump site to regulate the traffic caused as the result of garbage spread on the main road.
Other residents pointed out that some local sanitation companies sometimes come with trucks to collect the dirt, but would not collect all. According to them, while the garbage is being collected, marketers and other community residents continue to bring in their garbage.
The Coal Field Community residents are meanwhile calling on relevant stakeholders and the Paynesville City Corporation (PCC) to intervene and address the continuous huge piles of garbage in their community.
The Paynesville City Corporation (PCC) when contacted, regretted the situation at the Coal Field Community and other areas in and around Paynesville and said new measures are being strategized to deal with the problem of sanitation in the city.
PCC Public Relations Specialist, Jani K. Jallah said her Boss “Paynesville City Mayor” is currently out of the country and would meet the WASH Reporters & Editors Network of Liberia upon returning home to address the sanitation issue which the City Government has considered a priority.
