Residents of McCarthy Hill and members of a local landlords' association have renewed calls for the complete removal of a former dumping site behind the community after dumping activities ceased at the location.
During a public demonstration in the community last Sunday, the association appealed to the relevant authorities to expedite the clearing of the accumulated refuse in order to restore the area to its original state.
They gathered to express their dissatisfaction with what they described as the slow pace of remediation efforts at the site.
They also demanded immediate fumigation exercises to address the persistent infestation of flies said to be affecting the surrounding communities.
Lingering concerns
A spokesperson for the association, William Quartey, said while the suspension of dumping activities was a welcome development, the heaps of waste left behind continued to pose environmental and public health concerns.
He said swarms of flies remained a major nuisance in homes and businesses within McCarthy Hill and adjoining communities, making daily life uncomfortable and raising fears of possible health risks.
Mr Quartey stressed that simply halting the disposal of refuse was insufficient and urged the authorities to ensure the complete evacuation of the waste and the rehabilitation of the affected land.
The association further called on the relevant environmental and sanitation agencies to carry out sustained fumigation exercises to eliminate flies and other disease vectors that proliferated during the period the site was used for waste disposal.
"We appreciate that the dumping has stopped, but our concern is far from over.
The waste is still there, the flies are still here and residents continue to bear the consequences.
We want the rubbish removed entirely and the land restored," the representative of the association said.
They also appealed to the Weija-Gbawe Municipal Assembly and other relevant state agencies to provide a clear timeline for the complete restoration of the site and measures being taken to prevent the area from being used for waste disposal again.
They maintained that restoring the area would help protect public health, improve environmental conditions and restore confidence among residents who have lived with the effects of the dumping activities over the past month.
Background
Residents of McCarthy Hill, Mendskrom and Mangoline have, for the past month, raised concerns over the use of a wetland area behind the communities as a temporary waste disposal site.
They complained that the accumulation of refuse generated persistent foul odour, attracted flies, mosquitoes and rodents, and posed potential environmental and public health risks.
The residents also argued that the site formed part of a Ramsar-protected wetland and called for the relocation of waste disposal activities.
Although dumping at the site has since ceased, residents insist that the accumulated waste must be completely removed and the area restored to its original condition.
