Bantar Gebang closure brings joy to residents<\/p>\n
Theresa Sufa, The Jakarta Post, Bekasi<\/p>\n
Ani's eyes blinked in joy when she was asked how she felt
\nabout the Bekasi administration's decision to close Bantar Gebang
\nrefuse dump this weekend.<\/p>\n
\"We have been in a state of cohabitation with all manner of
\ndisease-bearing vermin and flies emanating from the dump for the
\npast 12 years. It's abhorrent, and we were virtually powerless to
\ntake the necessary steps required for relocating the site,\" said
\nAni, a 31-year-old woman who owns a food stall in the area.<\/p>\n
\"We are euphoric because as of Monday, there will not be any
\nmore trucks discarding refuse here,\" she added.<\/p>\n
Not too far from Ani's food stall, tons of garbage was seen
\npiled in and around the 104-hectare dump.<\/p>\n
An appalling stench hung heavily in the air while hundreds of
\nflies were seen flying over and around the area, as well as
\ninside the food stall. A great many flies even had the audacity
\nto land on the plates of food.<\/p>\n
However, a number of customers ignored the insects and seemed
\nto enjoy their meals and their coffee as most residents have
\ngrown accustomed to the situation.<\/p>\n
\"The smell and the noise produced by the hundreds of trucks
\npassing by everyday causes us great suffering. We are happy that
\nthe dump will be closed,\" said Atikah, 38, a housewife, adding
\nthat many residents had suffered from health problems because of
\nthe dump.<\/p>\n
At least 400 trucks come and go to the dump each day,
\naccording to an employee of the City Sanitation Office who is
\nstationed at the site. He said that, beginning on Sunday at
\nmidnight, the dump would stop all operations - unless the
\nMinistry of Home Affairs ordered the closure to be delayed.<\/p>\n
While most residents were overjoyed by the planned closure,
\nthousands of self-employed recyclers who are dependent on the
\ntrash for their income have to find another dump if they do not
\nwant to lose their jobs.<\/p>\n
\"I make a living by collecting cardboard here. If the dump is
\nclosed. It's not a problem. We will move to the new site,\" Asep.
\n40, said.<\/p>\n
The Bekasi administration decided to close the Bantar Gebang
\nsite following a recommendation from the council and a team which
\nevaluated it, due to the environmental damage.<\/p>\n
In compensation for the damage, Jakarta gave Bekasi Rp 2.5
\nbillion this year. Last year, it received Rp 1.5 billion.<\/p>\n
\"It is nothing compared to the impact caused by the garbage,\"
\nhead of the team to evaluate the dump, Hasnul Kholid Pasaribu,
\nsaid on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
\"Money would not solve the problem,\" he added.<\/p>\n
In addition to the environmental damage, many residents living
\nnear the Bantar Gebang dump also suffer from respiratory
\nproblems, continual diarrhea, and various skin ailments.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/bantar-gebang-closure-brings-joy-to-residents-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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