The perfect recipe for an untold health disaster

Jan 23, 2014 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,
At the Kitty/Campbellville bus park, just next to Demico House, runs a drain between the road and the pavement parallel to the St. Andrew’s Kirk Church fence that every commuter knows about, an area which is a hive of activity daily.
People vend all sorts of stuff: they sell snacks, a wide menu; men barber, ladies plait hair and manicure, an assortment of beverages are sold among so many other things and of course there are unrelenting ribald lively discussions, heated arguments, and debates on almost every topic and news item around the Capital/Country that comes to light.
All amidst the regular throng of school children and commuters of every walk of life – the students themselves locked in unending conversation. No doubt and as everyone can attest to; this area is forever pulsating, teeming with energy-life, especially at peak hours when the hustle and bustle starts to roar as minibus drivers, conductors, touts and taxi drivers swing into high gear.
The aforementioned drain is permanently clogged with everything imaginable: styrofoam boxes, juice cans, drink bottles, unrecognisable stuff, all still like a statue, stagnant, a kind of black-greenish surface that glistens, most unspectacular, obnoxious and repulsive, rather nauseous and some parts are covered (boarded up).
My focus and concern is that this scenario is the perfect recipe for an untold health disaster or disease epidemic. As mentioned above, that drain seems stuck in time.
Hasn’t this most shocking sight attracted the attention of an environmental officer? A single medical doctor/senior medical functionary? Any senior executive from the forever vocal private sector? The Human Rights movement? Child Care and Protection Agency? This is one of the most popular areas…Next to the courts, my goodness! Don’t any members of parliament, members of the judiciary, their wives and children pass by? And don’t tell me that Demico House can’t be affected. Good God, we are a sick people. Shouldn’t the police be charging someone for dereliction of duty, which is the same as breaking the law?
I’m aware that there are many other drains, trenches even worse, but look what goes on around this area, food is sold daily.
But you know what; apparently it is not so bad after all. Never will you see anyone turning up their nose because of any stench.
No sir. I myself don’t remember smelling any such, maybe not until a dead body shows up, maybe then and only then will action be taken.
Tell me, how could we permit something like this. But like they said in the “No big thing” show, this is Guyana “anything can happen.”
Frank Fyffe

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