The illegal and haphazard dumping of waste has become a common sight in Gaborone. This is a depressing reality which retards progress and all the various ways people can work toward making their environment cleaner.
From the mountains of garbage in most residential areas begging to be disposed off, to the piles of garbage on the road sides, the risks of disease spreading is henceforth increased in communities. Most residents might think illegal dumping of waste is an easy way out, but it poses increased human-health risks and causes a number of environmental hazards for both individuals and communities.
A few months back, His Excellency President Khama highlighted that on the issue of uncollected waste and blocked drainage systems around the city; the Gaborone City Council is not delivering efficiently on their mandate. This was a very commendable reprimand coming from the highest office. He laid the onus of this ugly picture of the city roads on sanitary department of the city council, which, he said, was not doing its job honestly. I concur with the sentiments shared because this crisis has been going on for a prolonged period of time, but nothing shrewd has been done to avert this tragedy and return the city to normalcy.
As a result of the absence of alternatives and failure to deliver by the council, most residents have now resorted to dumping their waste by the roadside. In order to have an appreciation of this quandary, one only has to take a short drive around the city in order to witness mounds of home waste, plastic bags, bottles, and even construction waste at a number of places all over the city.
However, in all truthfulness, the Gaborone City Council as well as the residents shoulder part of the blame for this disturbing trend. It is the duty of residents to cooperate with the city council and keep the city clean. It falls under unethical practices to dump waste by the road side because illegal waste dumps can contaminate the ground. With the rain season approaching, this might even be more disastrous as the dumps can keep water from draining which may lead to flooding.
No matter what the political spectrum each one of us might belong to, we all agree on this issue ÔÇô that it is time for the council to deliver the best care and governance to the nation. Whilst we are aware that improving the drainage system and cleaning up the city might be a very expensive undertaking, it should be noted in this case that the expense does not outweigh the end result as it would lead to a cleaner and healthier city.
Whilst the council is contemplating measures to clean the city, residents should also bear in mind that dumping of garbage on the roadside not only blocks the few drainage systems in place, but also causes unnecessary flooding which also poses a risk of water-borne diseases such as cholera and other diarrhoeal diseases as well as creating a conducive breeding ground for mosquitoes through ponds of stagnant water.
The council has to engage the government and secure funds to build a proper stormwater drainage system in Gaborone before the rain season starts.
More attempts should be made by the law enforcement officers on community sensitisation of proper waste management because abandoning rubbish on the road side is not above-board. If residents use the information provided by the council to curb illegal dumping, a number of positive environmental impacts can be realised to improve the quality of life for all. The mindset of the people should be changed and each and every one should come forward to participate in this cleanliness drive.
There is dire need to launch a cleanliness campaign in the city aimed at creating awareness among the people of proper disposal waste. The council’s apathy towards unclean city roads and streets is a clear example of lethargy.
