I have read a few of the articles and letters in the media concerning the garbage dump in the Le Repentir Cemetery, and noted the general alarm and concern in the views expressed. I passed that way quite a few times and it is with consternation and dismay that I view the steady westward expansion of the ‘mountain’ of garbage. I am sure that this is the view of thousands of other citizens who also have relatives buried there. How long can this ‘eyesore’ continue without serious health consequences is open speculation, suffice it to say there will be.
This is a new year, a new decade and we need new solutions to old problems. As such, I wish to make the following suggestion as a solution to the problem. There are islands in the Demerara River and I propose that the government utilises one of them as a permanent garbage dumpsite for the entire region. Earthen walls can be built around the island selected to keep the rubbish from view, from the river banks and it would only be visible from passing ships.
In the dry season, the rubbish can be burnt to reduce the volume and as for fumes and smell I feel that by the time it blows to the western shore it would be dissipated by the wind and would not be a major problem. Also, scavengers can be better monitored and controlled. Danger to underground aquifers would be minimal and uncontrolled combustion better managed. The garbage would be transported by barge to the island chosen.
I am almost certain that the residents of Eccles and the adjacent areas are not slightly annoyed at the prospect of the Haags Bosch dumpsite becoming fully operational and would likely support my suggestion as no one likes a dumpsite on their doorsteps and a permanent solution is badly required.
I hope you publish my letter and it gets the attention of the relevant authorities.