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City residents fume as garbage returns to Le Repentir
A picture of Le Repentir dumpsite in 2009
Residents of Georgetown are fuming over a decision by the Mayor and City Council, (M&CC) to revert to dumping refuse at the city’s premier burial ground; Le Repentir Cemetery.
Kaieteur News has learnt that the decision was taken by the Council, last week in an effort to bring relief to the solid waste built up, following a large landfill fire at the Haags Bosch site, located at Eccles, East Bank Demerara.
The spontaneous combustion, which occurred some two Sundays ago, caused several sections of the site to shut down and garbage trucks to be re-directed to a dumpsite, at Lusignan East Coast Demerara.
The garbage trucks were unable to continue transporting refuse to Lusignan, owing to the condition of the access road to the dumpsite. City Hall’s Public Relations Officer, (PRO) Debra Lewis, explained that the problem was unforeseen. As a result, she said that the Council had no other choice but to revert to Le Repentir.
“It was the only option available to the Council at the time, after the fire at Eccles and the issue with the trucks and the access road at Lusignan, but it is a temporary situation until the situation at the Haags Bosch subsides,” she explained.
The PRO further held that given the serious nature of the situation, the City considered it best to take the decision, rather than face a built up of solid waste in and around Georgetown. “We understand the people‘s concern but the Council had to act quickly or face a back up of garbage in the city. We would not want the city to return to the situation, where garbage piles were everywhere and overflowing,” added Lewis
At the interim, Lewis said that a big hole has been dug at Le Repentir to aid the solid waste disposal.
The PRO further noted that officials of City Hall have since held an emergency meeting with the Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan. She said that the officers are set to thereafter, meet with the President.
In the past, the dumpsite at Le Repentir had been a source of concern for persons, who reside in Wortmanville and in other wards south of the city. Many persons complained of the unsightly refuse pile, which could result in ill health and affect those living in the area in more ways than one.
Social activists Freddie Kissoon and Mark Benschop were particularly verbal about the issue. The men held picketing exercises at the site calling for its closure. Kissoon and Benschop were even placed in the lock ups for a few days, because of their action. The dumpsite was eventually closed and garbage collectors were directed to dispose of the waste at the land fill site in Eccles.
However given the recent development, Benschop is once again voicing his disapproval at the Council for voting for the return of garbage to the city‘s cemetery.
He noted that the move, whether “temporary” is hazardous and perilous to residents of the neighbouring communities. “It’s endangering people’s health and lives,” Benschop said.
The social activist told Kaieteur News that he is prepared to do what is necessary and face whatever consequences to stop the dumping of garbage at the cemetery. Benschop said that he is even prepared go to jail again, if that is what will bring an end to this nonsense.”
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