Since the start of the May-June rainy season Lindeners have been raising concerns about a number of environmental health issues. Stabroek News captured some comments from resident on these issues.
Garfield Hoyte – `I am very much concerned about the present rainy season and the build-up of dirty water in many sections of this town which leads to the spread of diseases. The present situation in front of the Linden Hospital Complex, a health institution, is gross at the mere thought of it much less the sight. Cars are splashing up murky water as they go through the many pot-holes there. The build-up of garbage that is causing the blockage of drains and the stench that comes from it. The lack of urinals at some of the bars and the result is the smell that you get when passing. These are just a few of my concerns on this topic.’
Ian Murray – `The onus is on each individual to practice good garbage disposal. The Town Council has to do more in terms of general cleanliness of Linden. They allow huge garbage dumps to build up and they blame the lack of resources. However it is my view that it should be tackled as a collective effort of all the major stakeholders and the citizens of Linden’.
Raphael Fraser –`You don’t have to be a Lindener to comprehend the atrociousness of the pollution factor in Linden especially in the air. The bauxite dust is so much that it covers especially the lower parts of Wismar like a blanket on homes and trees. This is the very dust we are made to breath in daily. Also considering the fact that that the bauxite kilns works 24/7 keeps the dust pumping. If nothing else the
government should be persistent in seeing that the current bauxite company rectify and maintain control of this problem for the sake of the community in which they operate and the families of the very employees who make them and their operations successful.’
Oslyn Harris – `Linden has a long history of environment health issues which rather than getting better are getting worse. Just a short walk to the Mackenzie Market or Wharf frontage gives a clear picture of what I am talking about, not to mention the area aback the old Mackenzie market where the Dutchie boat landing once operated.
That area has butchers, greens and grocery vendors who on a daily basis put us the buyers and themselves at serious health risks. The local authorities
have a great responsibility which they need to manage much better than they are doing right now.’
Soma Peters – `Our health is our wealth and it’s everyone’s responsibility to take charge of it because in the long run it is we the individual, not the town council or any other agency that will be on the hospital bed or have to live with some sort of medical complication. Yes they do have a major role to play like Bosai and that dust situation, town council and the garbage around the markets and elsewhere. But the best thing would be for us to start to take that responsibility for ourselves and stop littering, burn or bury our garbage and simple things like that.’
Clair Fraser – `I have serious concerns about the level of water borne diseases in Linden. Considering the millions that the government has been boasting that they have been spending on improving water especially in Linden, we should be at a stage where we can go to our taps and pour ourselves a glass and drink without out fear but that’s not the case. Come on we need to show care for our people and not just about a few filling their pockets and the masses suffering.’
George Marshall – `I have been talking about these issues over and over again and I am getting tired now. Nobody paying attention to the important things and rather than we move from one stage to a better one we going down and backwards. Look at the filth around this town and the town council not doing nothing.
When it comes to the dust is sheer faint promises. The rains come and the canals in this town including the Kara Kara creek ain’t clean and more than losing their produce farmers and the families got to wade through that unhealthy water which over flow septic tanks, wash away garbage and you know the rest of it.’
Dennis Jafar Muhammed – `It is commendable that the Regional authorities including the Mayor and Town Council are collaborating with BOSAI to ensure that the this dust emission problem is curbed. I hope and pray that by the end of this year everything is up and running properly and this problem is dealt with once and for all.
I can attest to the effects of this dust because of the sinus problem I have to endure and at my age having to have two surgeries already and it’s all because of the dust. Moreso I operate a pharmacy so I am aware of the effects it has on the general population of Linden. Dealing with the dust collector is just a small start.’