Persons turn man’s land into garbage dump

There seems to be no solution to the problem of improper garbage disposal throughout St Catherine.

THE STAR visited several unsightly areas throughout the parish. One particular area visited was in the High Mountain community in Bog Walk, following complaints of residents.

"I am willing to have them (the authorities) dump up the place, as too much garbage has piled up. I have been with the problem fi more than 20 years," Uriah Francis said.

Francis was referring to a piece of his land that has been transformed into a massive pile of garbage. Even a sinkhole has been filled with garbage over the years, which has created a very unpleasant stench.

Residents have expressed an urgent need to have the situation addressed, in light of the dangers to public health posed by dengue fever, leptospirosis and other problems that improper dumping can cause.

Residents said that drivers of trucks, cars and other vehicles are continually dumping material such animal carcasses, old fridges and mattresses in the spot.

"This is a very sad state of affairs. There are rats there, that is a danger in and of itself. Plus, the stench that comes from the site is very unpleasant. This thing (the dump) needs to be covered, as whenever the dogs rummage through it, the garbage is strewn about," Pastor Nerissa Mitchell said.

The residents also say the area is like a disaster waiting to happen, as the land is eroding, which would affect the dozens of taxis and other vehicles that use the thoroughfare

Meanwhile Councillor Peter Abraham of the Bog Walk Division said that he is aware of the problem and has made representation for assistance.

"I am aware. It is an area where I grew up, and for five years I have being trying to sort out this dumping problem. I have received permission to have it covered and I am working with the National Solid Waste Management Agency on it (NSWMA)," Abraham said.

Meanwhile, the St Catherine Municipal Corporation has expressed concerns about the many unofficial dump sites throughout the parish and is asking for enforcement from the NSWMA to address the problem.