Dear Editor,
It is with deep vexation and in an environment of discomfort that I write this letter. My sentiments are expressed on behalf of the residents of North East La Penitence and the larger La Penitence community. For the past weeks we the citizens of these communities have been besieged by noxious and hazardous smoke from the Mandela landfill site.

We have experienced this phenomenon countless times before, despite numerous commitments from the Georgetown municipality about providing security measures to prevent individuals from accessing the area and igniting the materials which have caused the recent fires.

The impact of this thick blanket of smoke is experienced daily with no apparent end in sight due to the current dry weather. There was a recent occurrence of a similar kind in the month of August but that was extinguished by the torrential rains.

The effects of this noxious and hazardous smoke on citizens in the environs are many and include eye irritation, nasal congestion and impaired vision. The young and the elderly are more vulnerable to illnesses, and the end result of all this could be to place a strain on the local health centres. The thick blanket of smoke not only affects residents but also the pedestrians and motorists that frequent these areas, since low visibility can lead to accidents on the roadways in these populated communities, especially at night. One can also become vulnerable to theft since rogue elements can easily commit crimes and comfortably escape unobserved.

The daily chores of residents and businesspersons are affected too. Simple tasks such as washing are now a challenge, because when the clothes are placed to dry in the sun they are discoloured and have a stench of smoke, while almost all corners of one’s home smell smoky, from cardboards to wardrobe. Businesses are operating in an environment of discomfort for staff and customers, and this may spell losses since the conditions make it difficult to provide optimum service.

Is the dumpsite now an incinerator? How can the Mayor sleep at night when his constituents are in total discomfort? How can the government turn a blind eye when citizens are treated inhumanely? Why is the Georgetown municipality and local government ministry not definitively addressing this problem? Why is there a reactionary posture to problems on the part of the authorities rather than one of being proactive? It is incidences such as these and the ‘eye-pass’ by the authorities that cause many Guyanese to lose confidence in state institutions and flee their country of birth.

My hope is that this letter is taken heed of and remedial measures taken to address this ‘smoky situation’ at the Mandela landfill site that would see its eventual closure. The smoke is unbearable to residents and it is unforgivable that the relevant authorities have citizens enduring environmental conditions of this kind.
Yours faithfully,
Jermaine Grant
Editor’s note
We are sending a copy of this letter to Mayor Hamilton Green for any comments he may wish to make.