Chronicle Editor
Vusumuzi Dube, Online News Editor
IT has been three years of a gruelling battle with poisonous fumes for Cowdray Park residents amid reports that some are contracting respiratory diseases from inhaling smoke emanating from electrical waste and yet nothing has been done to solve the problem.
The source of the relentless assault on the residents is the Richmond landfill where decomposing organic materials release methane gases that occasionally ignite, unleashing a torrent of acrid fumes. Their persistent pleas for a more comfortable environment with fresh air continue falling on deaf ears as the responsible authorities are taking their time to address the situation leaving residents enduring the putrid smell and fearing for their health. Residents no longer have kind words for Bulawayo City Council officials. They feel neglected.
“I believe we are suffering because none of the BCC directors stay in Cowdray Park. They do not feel the effect of these fumes. If they were affected, this issue would have been long resolved. It has been three years now and all we get are promises that they will resolve this issue but no action at all, people will start dying and commissions of enquires will be set, on a problem that could have been easily resolved,” said Mr Nkosilathi Zhou.
He said it was bad that institutions were now normalizing the abnormal and only reacting after people start getting ill or die instead of acting to avert the catastrophe. While the landfill site itself is a necessary part of waste management, the recurring fires have been the problem, creating a toxic cloud of black smoke that engulfs the surrounding area.
The fires are not only caused by the accumulation of methane gases but by the actions of individuals who salvage metals from the site for resale. The consequences of this ongoing debacle have been dire for the residents.
Many have fallen victim to respiratory diseases, their lungs weakened by the constant inhalation of toxic fumes. The toll on their health is matched only by the frustration they feel towards the Bulawayo City Council, which has thus far failed to provide a viable solution to this pressing issue.
The local authority’s acting corporate communications manager, Miss Bongiwe Ngwenya confirmed the development saying they were making efforts to ensure that they address the issue.
“Fires at the landfill are a result of accumulation of methane gases from decomposing organic materials that ignite from time to time. The other causes of fires are the people who reclaim materials for resale, in particular those who salvage metals. As part of the solutions, procurement of plant and machinery for the compacting and covering of waste as well as entering into waste to energy arrangements so as to reduce waste destined for the landfill, is being done,” said Miss Ngwenya.
She said to date they had not arrested any of the unscrupulous individuals who were also behind the fires through the reclaiming of metals as the suspects are not keen to testify against each other.
On reports that some residents were experiencing respiratory infections due to the fumes, Miss Ngwenya said; “The city has received the reports and we urge the affected to present at local clinics for treatment.”
Online Reporter