Residents of Bonny in Rivers State are currently groaning under the pervasive threats to their wellbeing due to mounting refuse dumps at various locations across the Island constituting an eyesore and posing health hazards to the people.

Checks by Kristina Reports reveal that at Moore Jackson by Hospital Road, Akiama Road at Oguede by the Magistrate Court, Willbros Road by Akiama Junction, Polytechnic back gate, and New Road by Access Bank.

Other locations include King Asimini Bypass by Bonny Consulate, Bonny Ultra-Modern market, and Light House Road by Finima Cemetery, amongst several others.  

Kristina Reports checks indicate that the daily evacuation of refuse emplaced by the Bonny Local Government suffered a setback with the recent dissolution of various committees including that of refuse disposal.

Residents of the various areas where these dumps are situated told Kristina Reports that they are currently struggling to even breathe as the stench emanating from the refuse dumps are suffocating them.

One of the most affected being the Bonny Ultra-Modern Market, where some of the traders told Kristina Reports that “since the Madam comot, them no carry the dirty. The new Oga come the other day but nothing happen”.

Reacting to the appalling sight where traders have to sell their goods under the excruciating stench oozing out from the huge mounds of uncleared refuse, some buyers called for an urgent intervention before there is a breakout of epidemic in the market.  

One of the residents, who only identified himself as Ibigoni, in a chat with Kristina Reports at Moore Jackson Road, lamented that “this is a public health disaster happening right here”.

“Is this right? Do we, the people of Bonny, deserve this? Should our lives and those of our families be so threatened?”

Another resident, who spoke to Kristina Reports while trying to purchase items from a nearby shop close one of the refuse dumps, expressed concern over the issue, saying “this is just bad!”.

“Even if the Local Government wants to dissolve committees, why not allow the refuse disposal people do their work? Look at how close this shop is to the refuse dump. We have been buying form this shop but see the problem now.”

An official of the Public Health office in Bonny, who preferred anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, regretted that the situation could get to this appalling point.

“Our boss has raised the issue with them but it appears nobody is ready to listen to us. That’s the only place, there are other places too that need urgent, in fact, daily evacuation; otherwise, we should not be surprised if there is a breakout of epidemic soon.”

A Police officer, who resides in the Police barracks along Hospital Road by Moore Jackson Road junction directly opposite the refuse dump, told Kristina Reports anonymously, that “when the breeze blows that odour our way, sometimes, you want to vomit”.

“We are suffering here. For how many days now that that refuse dump has not been evacuated, we have not been ourselves in this barracks. Let the government do something urgently about it before our people and their families begin to fall sick.”

The Public Health Officer was yet unreachable as at the time of this report as efforts by Kristina Reports to get a reaction from his office proved abortive.

Research has shown that improper waste disposal can lead to various diseases due to the presence of pathogens and contaminants that contaminate water, soil, and air.

Some common diseases associated with improper waste management include cholera, dysentery, typhoid, and certain parasitic infections. Also, improper disposal of some types of waste can release airborne pathogens that can cause respiratory illnesses.

Basically, improper waste disposal creates breeding grounds for pathogens, contaminates water and food sources, and attracts vectors like rodents and insects, all of which contribute to the spread of various diseases.