RESIDENTS of Fairfield Village on the Essequibo Coast are calling on the Environmental Protection Agency [EPA] to address a very serious problem in their community that is caused by the stockpiling of several tons of sand and loam by a contractor.

According to one resident, Moonilall Ramlall, the dust from the stockpile of several tons of white sand and loam on the bank of the Essequibo River has created a situation where residents are engulfed in dust during the day.

Ramlall said he and other residents have endured the situation for some five years, despite many reports to the Good Hope-Pomona Neighbourhood Democratic Council, the Regional Democratic Council and the EPA.
The farmer said his wife has to constantly get medication to use on her skin because of rashes caused by the dust. He said the windows of his home cannot be opened during the day and he cannot use water stored in several black tanks because of the dust problem.

According to Ramlall, families in seven houses in the small village are under attack by the dust problem. He said the contractor who operates several trucks has been moving the loam and sand by pontoons to Region 3. (Rajendra Prabhulall)