Dumb blamed for respiratory problems among residents<\/p>\n
Oyos Saroso H.N., The Jakarta Post, Bandarlampung<\/p>\n
Hundreds of residents of Bakung subdistrict in Bandarlampung, the
\ncapital of Lampung, have suffered chronic respiratory problems,
\nwhich is believed to be caused by the long presence of the
\ngarbage dump in the area.<\/p>\n
Local activists have warned that the condition could worsen
\nsince the local administration will not stop dumping rubbish,
\nclose down the site or pay compensation to the locals affected.<\/p>\n
They said the dump would continue to spark strong opposition
\nfrom the locals since the dump had damaged the environment and
\nendangered the locals' health.<\/p>\n
On Saturday, dozens of residents living near the dump put a
\nbarricade across the road leading to the dump, Jl. Kerusan Kusuma
\nYudha, in their attempt to prevent garbage trucks entering and
\ndemand that the local administration relocate the dump.<\/p>\n
\"We will no longer allow the trucks to come here and we will
\ntake severe action against any trucks dumping garbage,\" said a
\nprotester.<\/p>\n
Residents also staged a similar move on Aug. 16, but, later,
\nthey agreed to reopen the road after negotiating with
\nBandarlampung Mayor Suharto. During the meeting, the mayor
\npledged to give fair compensation to all residents living near
\nthe dump and to put out fires at the site within five days.<\/p>\n
The protesters said the road to the dump was blocked because
\nthe mayor had breached his obligation while the fires continued
\nto burn.<\/p>\n
Muslih, a 60-year-old resident who has been living in Bakung
\nsince 1952, said he has been suffering from a serious respiratory
\nailment for the past three years. \"And my third child has also
\nthe same complaint because of air pollution from the dump,\" he
\nexclaimed.<\/p>\n
Linawati also condemned the local administration for their
\nignorance about the suffering residents, saying she hopes to move
\nto another area since her two under-aged children had diarrhea
\ncaused from living near the dump.<\/p>\n
The municipal administration has used the area as a dump since
\n1992 but its presence has sparked protests from locals since it
\nhas posed health problems over the last five years. Even, several
\nchemical factories have also dumped hazardous waste at the dump,
\ncausing locals not use well water and, instead, buy water for
\ndrinking and cooking.<\/p>\n
Chief of the local health office, Rafiuddin, said that the
\nmunicipal administration had planned to move the dump to a barren
\narea in Sukadanahan subdistrict, West Tanjungkarang, in 2005.<\/p>\n
He also said that his office was recording data on residents
\naffected before any compensation is paid.<\/p>\n
Mukri Fritna, director of Indonesian Forum for the Environment
\n(Walhi) for Lampung, urged the local administration to take
\nimmediate measures to help residents suffering from respiratory
\nproblems.<\/p>\n
Mayor Suharto said he was aware of the problem and had ordered
\neight mobile health centers to provide health assistance to the
\npeople.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/dumb-blamed-for-respiratory-problems-among-residents-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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