Dumb blamed for respiratory problems among residents

Oyos Saroso H.N., The Jakarta Post, Bandarlampung

Hundreds of residents of Bakung subdistrict in Bandarlampung, the capital of Lampung, have suffered chronic respiratory problems, which is believed to be caused by the long presence of the garbage dump in the area.

Local activists have warned that the condition could worsen since the local administration will not stop dumping rubbish, close down the site or pay compensation to the locals affected.

They said the dump would continue to spark strong opposition from the locals since the dump had damaged the environment and endangered the locals' health.

On Saturday, dozens of residents living near the dump put a barricade across the road leading to the dump, Jl. Kerusan Kusuma Yudha, in their attempt to prevent garbage trucks entering and demand that the local administration relocate the dump.

"We will no longer allow the trucks to come here and we will take severe action against any trucks dumping garbage," said a protester.

Residents also staged a similar move on Aug. 16, but, later, they agreed to reopen the road after negotiating with Bandarlampung Mayor Suharto. During the meeting, the mayor pledged to give fair compensation to all residents living near the dump and to put out fires at the site within five days.

The protesters said the road to the dump was blocked because the mayor had breached his obligation while the fires continued to burn.

Muslih, a 60-year-old resident who has been living in Bakung since 1952, said he has been suffering from a serious respiratory ailment for the past three years. "And my third child has also the same complaint because of air pollution from the dump," he exclaimed.

Linawati also condemned the local administration for their ignorance about the suffering residents, saying she hopes to move to another area since her two under-aged children had diarrhea caused from living near the dump.

The municipal administration has used the area as a dump since 1992 but its presence has sparked protests from locals since it has posed health problems over the last five years. Even, several chemical factories have also dumped hazardous waste at the dump, causing locals not use well water and, instead, buy water for drinking and cooking.

Chief of the local health office, Rafiuddin, said that the municipal administration had planned to move the dump to a barren area in Sukadanahan subdistrict, West Tanjungkarang, in 2005.

He also said that his office was recording data on residents affected before any compensation is paid.

Mukri Fritna, director of Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi) for Lampung, urged the local administration to take immediate measures to help residents suffering from respiratory problems.

Mayor Suharto said he was aware of the problem and had ordered eight mobile health centers to provide health assistance to the people.