Robert Lalah, Staff Reporter
Workmen use a tractor to help put out the fire at the Riverton City landfill yesterday.
THE FIRE that has been raging at the Riverton City landfill for more than two weeks, has left residents from nearby communities at wits end, with scores becoming ill from prolonged exposure to impenetrable smoke. The National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) however, says the problem will be solved by midday today.
Miranda Graham, who lives in Duhaney Park, said her six-year-old daughter is one of the many victims of the sickening smoke. She said her daughter has been ill for the past week, having developed respiratory difficulties from being exposed to the smoke. Graham said she has had to take the girl to the clinic three times since the fire started. She added that the situation has got so bad, that she may be forced to pull her daughter from school and send her to a friend's home in St. Ann.
"I have no choice. She just cannot take any more of the smoke. I just have to get her away from the smoke before her illness gets worse," she said.
STAYING WITH FRIENDS
Charmaine Dunbar of Portmore said she has left her home to stay with friends in Kingston, because she could no longer tolerate the smoke. She said whenever there is a fire at the landfill, she rarely goes a day without suffering at least two asthmatic attacks.
Dr. Terrence Dipchand, a physician who operates a clinic in Greater Portmore, said since the start of the fire at the landfill, he has seen a marked increase in the number of persons complaining of sinusitis and asthmatic attacks. He said this occurs whenever there is a fire at the landfill.
Meanwhile, Member of Parliament for North West St. Andrew, Derrick Smith, has called for the Minister of Local Government, Portia Simpson Miller, to make a report to Parliament today on the situation surrounding the fire at the landfill.
Mr. Smith said in addition to whatever short-term measures are planned to restrict the effects of the fire, the Minister must tell the House what long-term plans are in place to improve the capacity of the landfill to fulfil its requirements.
Mr. Smith said he is concerned that residents have not been visited by public health officials to assess the level of their afflictions. The Gleaner was unable to make contact with Mrs. Simpson Miller yesterday for a response.
However, Lloyd Thomas, director of special projects at the NSWMA, told The Gleaner that the fire and related smoke problems should be completely alleviated today. "We are now about 90 per cent complete in terms of getting the situation under control. Right now there is no blaze and the smoke has been greatly reduced. By 12 o'clock (today), any smoke there is, should be contained to the landfill and will not affect adjoining communities," he assured.
