Up in Arms Over Muanikoso Litter
Residents of Muanikoso settlement, in Nasinu, have raised concerns over the improper disposal of rubbish in the area.
Speaking to the Fiji Sun on Thursday, 65-year-old Samuela Waqaniburotu said people should learn how to dispose of their rubbish in a safe and hygienic way.
“In turn, this would help in the fight against dengue fever,” he said.
The Fiji Sun team noticed the different types of garbage that were piled at the settlement’s round-about. There were plastic items of all descriptions, tyres, food leftovers, dried tree branches and even pieces of corrugated iron.
“There are a lot of mosquitoes here because of all this rubbish. Mosquitoes are now breeding here,” Mr Waqaniburotu said.
Not far from the pile of rubbish is a drain. It, too, was clogged with rubbish. An ideal place for mosquitoes to breed.
“The problem here is there are a lot of irresponsible people who just throw their trash anywhere and expect the town council to clean it for them,’’ an angry Mr Waqaniburotu said.
“We can’t always rely on the council to clean our rubbish all the time.
“One thing we can do is every home should have their own incinerator, bury what can be buried and burn all paper and plastic. People should take responsibility for their own trash.”
Babita Sharma, who has been staying at the settlement for years now, said her family is frustrated with the foul smell of the rubbish.
“It has been like this every day,” she said pointing to the heap of rubbish in front of her house.
“The smell is very disappointing,” Ms Sharma said.
She said her family had to live with the foul smell every day.
“The town council comes (to collect rubbish) every Monday and Thursday. They will come and clean the whole place but when you wake up the next morning, there will be heaps of rubbish there again as if they (garbage collector) did not come at all.
“Most of the time people will throw their rubbish here in the night when we are sleeping.”
Ms Sharma said the settlement was a heavily populated one.
“There was a notice here. We don’t know who removed it,” Ms Sharma said.
“It is not good because now anyone can get dengue fever because of the improper disposal of rubbish. This is a big issue now.
“(Nasinu) Town Council and (contracted) authorities are doing their job. It’s the people who need to think and consider each other.”
Edited by George Kulamaiwasa
Feedback: selita.bolanavanua@fijisun.com.fj
