Latest update June 3rd, 2026 12:40 AM
Zeelugt residents call for removal of asphalt plant
Residents of Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo are calling on the relevant authorities to immediately remove an asphalt plant from their community. The plant which went into operation early last year, is affecting the everyday lives of residents by releasing air pollutants.
The Asphalt plants mixes gravel and sand with crude oil derivatives to make the asphalt used to pave roads, highways, and parking lots.
Kaieteur News has been receiving several complaints from persons living in the area about this daily nightmare, which operates weekdays and even on some weekends.
The residents have complained about experiencing breathing problems due to the fine dust that is given off by the plant when it is in operation.
Marsha Padmore, a pregnant teacher, who moved into the housing scheme, last year, said that she has no other choice but to place a wet cloth over her nose to relieve her breathing troubles.
“People are forced to wet rags and put it over their nose. This thing does even burn people’s eyes.”
Residents would usually be confined to their homes to protect themselves from the smoke, dust and even noise being emitted from the plant.
However, they are not the only one being affected by the asphalt plant.
According to Daywattie Raynauth, her house and clothing are suffering at the hands of the Asphalt plant. She said, “When yuh hang out yuh clothes and pick it up…you can smell the asphalt.”
The woman said that the black dust that emits from the plant dirties the exterior of her home and she has to constantly be wiping her doors, walls and windows.
Raynauth noted that she would like operations to cease as soon as possible to safeguard the health of persons living in the housing scheme, because she does not know how much longer they will be able to live under such conditions.
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