Dear Editor,
This is to inform you about a serious problem that is facing me with smoke where I am residing at Belladrum, West Coast Berbice, and which is affecting my health.
The problem is that my next door neighbour would burn garbage almost every afternoon in her yard and the smoke would blow over to my house.
I am an elderly person and I recently underwent surgery for both eyes, so the smoke would affect me terribly. Besides, the smoke has also caused me to develop a very bad cough. I had to visit the Mahaicony Hospital and I got drops for my eyes and tablets for the cough.
Besides, a horrible stench would emanate from whatever is burning and I feel as though I am living near to a dumpsite. It seems to me too as though they are doing it deliberately because they would lock themselves up in their home and could be heard laughing loudly.
My sister, Leslene Whinfield, who also underwent surgery, made a report at the Fort Wellington Police Station on March 18. So far no police officer has visited to inquire.
She also reported the matter to an environmental officer in the community. That officer came on March 26 and she went over to the neighbour and warned her and the burning eased up, but only for a few days.
After it started again, I made two reports at the Weldaad Station but still no police came. I would be happy if any health personnel could come to my home to investigate because they would get the strong smoky smell from my curtains as evidence.
Yours faithfully,
Hubert Whinfield
Editor’s note
We are sending a copy of this letter to Dr Indarjit Ramdass, Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency for any comment he might wish to make.
