Illegal dumping causes blockages, health hazards

-City warns

The Mayor and City Council has registered disappointment over the continued dumping of waste at illegal sites, compromising waterways and creating unsightly heaps.

According to a press release the Council warned against the practice, which it said is particularly prevalent at the Stabroek Minibus Park that is cleared daily but always appears untidy because of indiscriminate dumping. It said other areas in Water Street, King Street, Wellington Street and sections of Regent Street and Robb Street also appear to be attractive spots for litter bugs.

The Council reminded that illegal dumping interferes with proper drainage and makes areas more prone to flooding. It said too dumped appliances are not only an eyesore but can also release toxic chemicals. They also pose a particular danger to children who may play in old freezers and refrigerators and become trapped.

Meanwhile, the Council said about four acres of land have already been covered by the contractor at Le Repentir landfill site. The entire site is expected to be closed to dumping some time this year. Also, the new landfill site at Haag Bosch should be ready mid-year. According to the release, last year the contract to build the site was signed by BK International and Puran Brothers.

The Council also said it has been able to able to analyse complaints regarding garbage collection and disposal and has treated a significant percentage of those complaints. The services delivery areas which attracted reports from residents are drainage, roads, processing of building applications, garbage collection and disposal, law enforcement and environmental health. It said too the Solid Waste Management Department was efficient in managing the complaints since 75% of them were resolved, thought it acknowledged that other service delivery areas did not do so well during the same period.