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Mandela dump site a ticking time bomb, disaster

May 10, 2009 News



–  Mayor Green

(By Mondale Smith)

“A ticking time bomb and a disaster,” is Mayor Hamilton Green’s most recent description of the ‘Mandela dump site’ and chances are it will be further expanded to accommodate the ever-growing 270 tons of garbage deposited daily.
“We are receiving more garbage than we normally do and in spite of other reports, garbage is still coming from the East Coast and the East Bank and the burden is horrendous for the city, the Mayor said.”
Already the location is proving an eye sore and subject to wind direction its ever-pungent stench causes many to complain from near by wards and then comes the unpredictable spontaneous combustions that cause some to vacate their homes.
Further, recent complaints abound from those seeking to bury their dead. They claim that the stench is unbearable and adds to their sorrows even as some fear that they may soon not be able to access the burial site of their dearly departed.
Some city fathers have referred to City Hall’s efforts at Solid waste management thus far as “a solid waste of time.”
The site, which opened six years ago, should have been closed two years now but was expanded westward, taking in a large portion of Le Repentir Cemetery. Yesterday he said the site might be further expanded in the not too distant future, as there is no other present alternative for disposing of the garbage being generated.
On Friday, the City Mayor said that for lack of resources, another cell for further dumping of garbage may be opened soon as the current location has far out grown its capacity.
He said that garbage is transported from as far as Soesdyke and that taxes being collected cannot suffice.
He said, “We certainly can open another site south of where we are now and it would not encroach on burial areas.” The mayor also noted that there is some land beyond the Gymnasium that the council may use. There is also land going towards the Sussex Street canal.
He said that thus far, digging to bury garbage has not resulted in any tombs being disrupted or bodies being unearthed but he noted that some sites have been covered over by garbage.
He admitted that as a result of the current site some difficulty is occurring due to excess waste being dumped wantonly by people at the location.
Litter Pickers met with the Mayor and had agreed to pay a few to conduct their daily search of the garbage. They were also to be uniformed but nothing has come of the idea.  Solid Waste Engineer/Manager, Clinton Urling, who is tasked with ensuring that the litter pickers comply, told Mayor Green that more human resources are needed to police the site.
Also wearing the cap of Chief Environmental Officer, Urling also admitted to the Mayor that some have paid the fees while others have not and that the City Constabulary managers are reluctant to send their ranks to the location for various reasons.
“The ranks are reluctant to go because the site stinks,” said Mayor Green.
He however said that he would have another meeting with the litter pickers shortly before making a final decision on the way forward.
Litter Pickers some of whom have built homes and bought vehicles from rummaging the dumpsite, have incurred blame for allegedly starting many of the blazes at the area but they have vehemently denied such allegations.
With the proposed closure of the site slated for June, Mayor Green said that the Mandela landfill site is an exercise in frustration and is a total environmental disaster in every aspect.

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