Residents of Kalpohin, suburb of the Sagnarigu municipal area in the northern region are living in danger as an abandoned hip of garbage in the community’s public toilet has become the safe haven for reptiles and harmful organisms.
The dumping site has also become the playing ground for children in the neighborhood after school threatening the safety of the inhabitants.
Several children were seen loitering and playing around when THE CUSTODIAN visited the place Monday evening.
Cholera and other communicable infections are therefore imminent because of the insanitary condition in the community exposing the people to several health consequences. The stinking smell emanating from the refuse is causing air pollution in the vicinity.
Some community members in an exclusive interview complained about environmental pollution anytime there is wind blow dissipating the refuse into the various households.
Damata, a female resident told THE CUSTODIAN that, “We cannot breathe, the stench coming from the refuse is worrying us so much and anytime there is wind blow, you will see rubbers flying all over into our houses. Unless you close your windows and cover your food and water, the rubbers will enter everywhere.”
She said several complaints to duty bearers to evacuate the garbage has been unsuccessful but recounted portions of it were evacuated during the 2020 political campaign season.
Meanwhile, Assemblyman for Kalpohin, Musah Nabila has said the situation follows the decision of Zoomlion Ghana Company Limited; a waste management company, to withdraw its service to dispose of the refuse in the community.
He noted the inability of the Sagnarigu municipal assembly to fulfill its contractual obligation with the company to frequently empty refuse containers in the municipality necessitated the action.
He added the contract with Zoomlion did not include the Kalpohin refuse container and because the assembly did not also take steps to include it for evacuation, the waste management company eventually abandoned it.
However, THE CUSTODIAN has learned the Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Shani Alhassan Shaibu has given assurance for the evacuation of the garbage in the coming days.
