Rubbish dumped close to village

RESIDENTS of Raniolo Settlement in Kokopo, East New Britain, are concerned about the “improper” dumping of municipal wastes at the entrance into their homes.
Spokesman Albert Alpha told The National yesterday that they were concerned because rubbish was dumped near where people lived and that was an health hazard that could cause diseases.
Raniolo is located in ward 16 of the Kokopo-Vunamami urban local-level government (KVULLG) and has a population of 4000 people.
The concern was raised after a garbage truck that belonged to the LLG went and dumped wastes on a small playing field adjacent to the access road into the settlement.
The dumping began four days ago.
The council vehicles dumped rubbish on the field because the road that lead to the dump was located at the fringes of the settlement where the road had deteriorated due to lack of maintenance.
“They (council) must not dump rubbish anyhow,” Alpha said.
“The odour from the wastes is unbearable and should a disease outbreak occur, we will all be affected. We have a large population living in the area and such improper dumping of wastes is a health hazard.”
He called on the authorities to fix the deteriorated road so that trucks could travel to the dumping site to dispose waste properly.
City manager Freddy Lemeki said he was aware of the situation at Raniolo and meeting with stakeholders to attend to the problem.
“We just returned from Raniolo Road and will have a meeting with authorities to find a way forward,” he said.