Dear Editor,

THE front page of the Sunday Stabroek of July 17 contained a headline that included two garbage collection services; it caught my attention. Both of these waste management services named in the news item are major players.They are presently involved in the wanton destruction of roads and the commission of other violations in a section of the new Eccles Housing Scheme that runs parallel to the dumpsite access road, where the Government-built two-flat turnkey and other houses are located.

The road was built about two years ago, and the destruction started about six months ago when, instead of using the dumpsite road, the garbage trucks of these two services resorted to using the community road.

As you might imagine, there are other vehicular traffic — including other garbage collection services — that use the road; but by sheer volume and frequency, Puran Brothers and Cevon’s Waste Disposal Services have contributed to over 90 percent of the destruction and other violations.

The shoulders of large sections of the road have been broken off; parapets are damaged; and, in one case, the electric wire that connects a resident’s house to the Guyana Power and Light pole, along with the meter, was recklessly ripped away from its secured base on the house by one of these trucks.

Although attributed mostly to vehicles that transport garbage uncovered and to persons with no regard for cleanliness and good sanitation, there is also the problem of littering, especially along the dumpsite road.

Editor, the presence of these trucks roaming through the community and emitting a stinking, nauseating smell from very early in the morning to late in the afternoons, seven days a week, even though neither of them is known to provide collection service to the community, is contributing to the degradation of the community rather than its development. According to environmental experts, continued exposure to such conditions may cause respiratory and other problems. Further, these trucks pose serious noise pollution challenges for us. Residents are entitled to the peaceful enjoyment of their homes and immediate surroundings, but what is happening here runs counter to the concept of living the good life, which has been promised by the government.

Where is the recently elected NDC representative? Where is the Environmental Protection Agency? Where is the Ministry of Communities? Are they enjoying their well-to-do homes and neighbourhoods while ordinary citizens suffer?

Most disheartening is that the truck drivers of these two services seem totally bereft of any sense of responsibility and value, and what it costs tax payers to build this road and residence to maintain their parapets. More often than not, they drive these trucks at high speed, which poses additional danger for residents and their property. I believe the time is ripe for government to take into consideration the social responsibility and other pertinent records of companies before it awards contracts to them. Clearly, we cannot have a situation where companies are involved in the destruction of public infrastructure or other actions that are inimical to government’s goals and at the same time being awarded contracts costing tax payers millions of dollars.

Editor, the dumpsite by itself presents serious challenges to residents in terms of air pollution, littering and other undesirable conditions, which we must face day in and day out.
However, as a small comfort, I would greatly appreciate if you can bring the foregoing situation to the attention of the relevant authorities with a view to preventing further destruction to our roads, improve air quality, reduce noise levels, and eliminate the risk of accidents by speeding garbage trucks. Maintaining good health and a clean environment are prerequisites to the development of strong communities.

Yours sincerely,
DERICK LOWE
Resident