BY BRENDA ACHEN

Residents of Maliri village in Kaya parish, Zombo are warning that the town council’s trash dump is seriously harming their health and the local environment.

Local leader Gilbert Ocamringa warned stakeholders on Monday that the nearby dumpsite is a ‘health time bomb’ for local children. Due to its accessibility, he noted that children are frequently exposed to hazardous waste, raising fears of a cholera outbreak.

Ogeyowun Ilford, a community member   suggested fencing the site, noting that waste management teams frequently discharge garbage too close to the road. Ogeowun noted a case where an infant’s body was found abandoned in a fly-infested garbage pile.

Fiona Anirwoth, a local resident, voiced alarm regarding the Maliri River, the community’s primary water source. Located only meters from the landfill, the river suffers from contamination during the rainy season as storm water runoff carries pollutants from the refuse into the water.

Paidha Town Clerk Edmond Odota promised a swift response to the dire conditions, stating that the community’s concerns have arrived at a critical juncture in the district’s annual planning schedule.