Public Enquire about Cause of uncollected Garbage in Kanifing Municipality

By Sailu Bah Major intersections and markets in the Kanifing Municipality have for more than two weeks now been littered with uncollected garbage which is not only viewed as an eye sore by residents, pedestrians and vendors but a real threat to their health as well as the environment. The filth and pungent odour caused by these piles of uncollected garbage have raised public concern as well as calls for the Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) to urgently address this health and environmental hazard. From the West Field area near the ‘Youth Monument’ and moving along both the Kombo Sillah Drive and Sayerr Jobe Avenue, one cannot miss the visible presence of the waste generated from the homes, shops and streets and piled at these various locations. The stench coming from these piles of garbage is so overbearing that passersby could not avoid covering their nostrils. Talking to some of the vendors and passersby, they questioned why the municipality has not been collecting the garbage in the streets and which they said is increasing every day. Sheriff Saidy, a vendor at the ‘Lion House’ junction in the heart of Serrekunda, said he pays D1, 500 to the KMC. He said the uncollected garbage is making the environment so un-conducive for them because of the pungent odour which also poses a health hazard to them. Mr. Saidy said because of the uncollected garbage some people in the surrounding neighbourhood would come at night to dump their rubbish at the place which is now piling high up. “Council should make every effort to ensure that the rubbish is collected on time so that it will not pile up to pose health and environmental hazards to people who live around or spend their whole time here, such as us, the traders,” appealed Mr. Saidy. Kaddy Sanneh, a passerby, also lamented the uncollected waste blocking the roads in some parts of the municipality. She also called on the municipal authorities to remove the garbage which is indiscriminately dumped in different areas within the municipality to ensure a clean environment and easy access to pedestrians and motorists. “This garbage in front of me has been here for more than three weeks. It has been piling up well before the last ‘Set Setal’,” said Modou Mbye, a stall owner. When contacted on the phone to enquire about the position of Council regarding the uncollected waste, Madam Fatoumata Sillah, the KMC Public Relation Officer (PRO), said she was ill and not coming to work lately and is also not aware of this situation. She said she will be resuming work today (Tuesday). Foroyaa will contact her again to find out what the problem is regarding the uncollected garbage in the streets and markets around the Kanifing metropolis.]]>