Send a Clear Message to Illegal Dumpers

Thursday, July 3, 2008
It is very encouraging to see the enforcement of the littering laws we have seen in the case of SASCO Co. Ltd, a business enterprise on Kairaba Avenue. That company was on Friday, June 27th, arraigned before Magistrate Mustapha Camara of Kanifing Courts. It was sentenced to six months imprisonment or a fine of D1,000 for failing to comply with Part I and Part II of the Anti Littering Regulation of 2007 contrary to section 1 of the said regulation. This kind of public example to all those who may consider engaging in illegal dumping will be very effective in our fight to keep our nation clean. If people are aware that illegal dumping and littering laws are being enforced, they will think twice before they engage in this illegal activity. Everyone appreciates the good work carried out every month during Set Setal but the really effective way to combat an unclean environment is to make sure that litter is not thrown down in the first place.

According to the particulars of offence, the company wilfully and indiscriminately dumped waste causing harm to both the people and the environment. This is a very true statement. What many people fail to realise is that dumping of this kind has a very negative effect on both. Many people feel that littering is simply an aesthetic matter in that it is unsightly but the reality is that it causes a whole host of problems from attracting vermin to increasing the potential breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

President Jammeh in his capacity as the Chairman of the National Environment Management Council signed the Anti Littering Regulation into law on 14th June 2007 with good reason. What we need to see is increased enforcement so that a very clear message is sent to all those who might consider dumping. If the amount of litter is lessened, then it will also free up the time of the KMC tractors and their crews who are doing such sterling work to keep the environment clean. These combined effects will greatly increase the effectiveness of our fight to keep our nation clean and our people healthy.

“There’s an old saying which goes: Once the last tree has been cut and the last river poisoned, you will find you cannot eat your money.

Joyce Mclean

dumpers, illegal, sasco, nea, kairaba avenue
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