LIBERIA: Open Defecation on the Increase in Jamaica Road, Belimah Communities
By: WASH R&E (Media) Network – The issue improved sanitation due to the lack of public latrines especially in populated communities in and around Monrovia is becoming a serious problem that needs the urgent attention of government, development partners and community residents themselves.
A private latrine in the Belimah Community, now used by most Residents
Partial view of the Jamaica Road Community
Belimah Community abandoned Public Latrine covered by bush for over 2 years
In some of these populated communities, sanitary conditions are even getting from bad to worst due to the lack of public latrines in these areas.
As the WASH Reporters & Editors Network of Liberia commences the second phase of its exclusive reportage, focusing on sanitation in Monrovia and environs, Jamaica Road and Belimah Communities’ sanitation nightmare is been highlighted.
Jamaica Road and Belimah Communities on the Bushrod Island near central Monrovia have a population of about 30 thousand residents according to Liberia’s 2008 Population Census.
Residents of the two communities informed WASH R&E that they are in desperate need of toilet facilities, due to the lack of public latrines.
They also blamed the situation to over crowdedness. According to them, public latrines in the two communities were forced to close about two years ago because they were overly used, not properly maintained and unsafe to use.
They also blamed themselves for their inability and sometimes lack of willingness to maintain the toilets.
Open defecation is now on the increase as the result of the lack of public latrine facilities in the two communities, according to the residents.
Some residents have resulted to the use of plastic bags, rubber buckets and nearby bushes, even the main streets at midnight for defecation.
They agreed that such a practice is unhygienic and poses serious health hazards to both communities, but stressed that they were only living by the grace of God, though they often experience running stomach and illnesses.
The Chairman of the Jamaica Road Community, Gabriel McCauley named the unavailability of land space for the construction of public latrines as one of the problems his community continues to face as the population increases on weekly basis.
According to him, even land owners in the community are not willing to provide a piece of their land for latrine construction. He noted that after several appeals they would provide a land space, but later claim the latrine facilities as their personal property.
He noted two of such facilities that were constructed by a charity for the community had to close down because it was illegally possessed the land owners, something the community refused.
Also speaking to WASH R&E, the Chairperson of Belimah Community noted that the absence of public latrines including the lack of latrines in some houses has contributed immensely to sanitation problems in the area.
Mr. Momolu Dukuly said if nothing is done to urgently address the situation, it could lead to a serious health problem in the community.
He said at night individuals who lack access to toilets defecate anywhere, thereby putting the community in a state of poor sanitation and embarrassment.
Mr. Dukuly called on land owners to provide space for the construction of public toilets in the community, which could be done by government, NGOs, politicians or goodwill private individuals.
Besides the issue of sanitation, the provision of safe drinking water is also critical to these two communities.
Residents who cannot afford to purchase water have no alternative, but to fetch and use water from unsafe sources such as open wells and drainages.
This, according to Jamaica Road and Belimah Community residents has resulted to the spread of water borne related diseases because of the increase in open defecation which continues to affect sources of water they use.
