Africa-Press – Cape verde. Months after changes in the location of some garbage containers, some neighborhoods in the country’s capital still see the garbage situation getting worse. Residents continue to place rubbish on the ground, in places where there were previously collection points. The City Council states that it has relied on prohibition signs, which are sometimes ignored, and insists on the collaboration of residents to have a clean and sanitized beach.
Solving the garbage problem in the City of Praia has been one of the main challenges highlighted by the municipality. Every now and then Francisco Carvalho’s executive talks about boycotts of the solid waste collection system, with containers overturned, stolen and even burned.
However, in an attempt to overcome the problem, and when relocating some collection points, the CMP found itself facing yet another obstacle: people continue to place rubbish on the ground, where there used to be containers. Even in prime areas, such as the commercial and financial area of Achada de Santo António, where there are entities such as banks, the Stock Exchange, health services and other services, are not free from this lack of municipal attitude.
“Before there were two container points near my house. They were all removed and placed in distant locations”, complains a resident of one of the city’s neighborhoods. “The garbage that is placed on the ground is destroyed by street dogs and carried by the wind”, says the resident, who appeals, however, to people’s civility, in the sense of avoiding “reproachable” behavior.
The Municipality of Praia (CMP), in turn, through a note in response to our questions, says that it “recognizes and values the concerns of citizens regarding the issue of sanitation in the city” and that it is “aware of the commitment to solving challenges related to sanitation”, which has been a priority.
However, he makes a “sincere appeal” to residents to contribute to a cleaner beach. “We want to make a sincere appeal to residents to also play an active role in improving sanitation in Praia”, he said, in a reaction sent to this weekly newspaper.
New collection routes
The same source clarifies that, where signs have been installed indicating that it is prohibited to deposit waste, it means that the location is not on the regular garbage collection route.
“The garbage collection vehicle only serves places where there are designated containers. We ask for everyone’s collaboration to respect these signs and avoid disposing of waste where it is not permitted”, he reinforces.
According to him, it is understandable that there are situations in which changes in the location of containers may affect the comfort of some residents.
However, it asks that “small additional efforts be made, when necessary, in favor of a cleaner and healthier environment for the city”.
Question of civics
A resident of the Terra Branca neighborhood also talks about a problem of civility and common sense among people who, according to him, do not do the minimum expected.
“In Terra Branca we have a chronic problem in the area near Pão Quente. Despite there being containers nearby, people insist on putting their rubbish on the ground there, transforming the place into an authentic rubbish bin, despite the prohibition sign”, he denounces, stressing that, at this time of year, the problem is further aggravated by the proliferation of mosquitoes.
There are also people who, looking for food for pets, turn over the containers to this type of behavior, scattering the rubbish on the floor. A typical case is that of the container right next to the Police Station in Achada de Santo António.
“People don’t even respect the proximity of the Police, and, it seems, the officers at this police station themselves don’t mind having a dumpster near them. It’s impressive”, says a resident, disheartened by the degradation of customs throughout the country.
Improvements to the collection system
Another recurring concern among citizens has been the amount of garbage accumulated even in places where there are containers. In this case, says the CMP, the problem is not only the presence of rubbish, but also the length of time that this rubbish remains there, which is why it has already improved the collection system to ensure that the rubbish is removed in a timely manner.
It emphasizes, however, that sanitation management is a shared responsibility between the City Council and citizens. He recognizes, on the other hand, that there have been “boycotts and obstacles” to his work, but reaffirms his “commitment to overcoming these challenges and ensuring a clean and healthy environment for all the city’s inhabitants”.
It should be remembered that the municipality announced, since the beginning of June, the introduction of improvements in sanitation conditions, with the placement of new containers and consequently the change of some garbage disposal points. In addition to being burned, it seems that there were also containers stolen or that simply disappeared from where they were.
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