In our last segment we showed you the filthy smoke from the garbage burning outside Belmopan.
But, that's not the only place it's happening. We also got to speak with Chef Tim August from Dangriga, who had the same complaint about the Solid Waste transfer station near Dangriga. He gave us a similar account to Ronaldo Logan. Chef August says the transfer station near Dangriga is dormant, even though it was constructed several years ago. And once again, garbage is perpetually burning at the dumpsite near the transfer station.
Here's how he explained why the environmental impacts from the dumpsite are affecting his business model for potential growth as a restauranteur:
Chef Tim August - Dangriga Resident
"Every time I go on the Southern Highway, and I see that nice piece of investment, before, I used to give the government credit. But then, they invested so much money on something that needs to be utilized because, for example, I have a restaurant in Dangriga, and I would want to do more seafood and stuff like that. But because the current garbage dump is a breeding ground for flies and concas, I am not even encouraged to do. So definitely, I would like to see, if the people's money went into an investment like that, we need to utilize it. Hey, it will make life easier. I know that the fishermen have a big problem, too, because it's the same thing. You pass by their stalls, and there are flies all over the place because the garbage is not being disposed of in a timely and proper manner. The only thing you see there is security, and the grass getting high, and then right beside it, you see all that - The first thing the tourists see before they get into that tourism zone, which is Hopkins, Placencia, and now Dangriga, is the big smoke that they have to go through."
Daniel Ortiz "Where garbage is being burnt?"
Chef Tim August
"Where garbage is being burnt."
Today, we got a chance to speak with Chief Environmental Officer Anthony Mai, who told us that the matter has also been brought to their attention, and they have brought up the matter with the officials at the Solid Waste Management Authority.
Easier in the day, we reached out to SWAMA's Lumen Cayetano for comment, and a few minutes ago, Cayetano responded to our request saying, quote, "Operations of transfer stations Belmopan and Dangriga [are] to go out for tender shortly. Ministry of Finance has given a commitment to the Ministry of Natural Resources to provide the necessary financing to operationalize both facilities. While the transfer stations are not yet operational, the management of the existing disposal sites is the responsibility of the local municipal authorities, within whose jurisdiction the disposal sites fall. The Ministry of Natural Resources through the Solid Waste Management Authority has been providing monthly support to the municipalities to assist with the proper management of the disposal sites." End quote.
