By Precious D. Freeman
Several marketeers in the commercial hub of Duala in District 16, Montserrado County, have raised serious concerns over the prolonged presence of a large stockpile of garbage in the area, which they say is posing a significant threat to their health and livelihoods.
The marketeers, many of whom are elderly women, expressed frustration over the Monrovia City Corporation’s (MCC) failure to collect the waste despite their consistent efforts to pay a daily fee of 50 Liberian Dollars for waste management services.
The MCC, headed by City Mayor John Siaffa, has reportedly neglected its responsibility to remove waste from collection points, leaving the market area overwhelmed by filth.
According to the affected marketeers, the “mountain of waste” has led to the spread of diseases such as cholera and diarrhea, with the unsanitary conditions creating a breeding ground for flies, cockroaches, rats, and other infectious pests.
The presence of these pests has further disrupted business activities, driving away customers and affecting their daily income.
“This situation is making it difficult for us to survive,” said one elderly vendor. “We are doing our part by paying the daily fee, but the garbage just keeps piling up. The smell is unbearable, and it’s driving customers away.”
Another marketeer added that the waste crisis is affecting not only their health but also their ability to sustain their families.
“Our children depend on us to bring food home every day, but how can we sell when customers are avoiding the market because of the terrible smell?” she asked.
Health experts have warned that the ongoing waste crisis could lead to a wider public health emergency if not addressed promptly.
Poor sanitation and exposure to contaminated waste increase the risk of waterborne diseases and respiratory issues, particularly among vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly.
“The longer this garbage stays here, the more dangerous it becomes,” said a local health worker who visited the market recently.
“We’ve already seen an increase in cases of diarrhea and cholera in the nearby clinic, and it’s only going to get worse if the waste isn’t removed.”
The marketeers claimed that their repeated complaints to the Monrovia City Corporation have been met with silence or vague promises of action.
“We’ve reported this issue several times, but nothing has changed,” said a frustrated vendor. “It’s like they don’t care about us.”
Despite the difficult conditions, the marketers have shown resilience by continuing to operate their businesses, however, they fear that the situation will soon become unbearable if the authorities fail to act quickly.
“The flies are everywhere,” said another vendor. “They land on the food we sell, and we know that’s dangerous. But what choice do we have? We have to keep working to survive.”
Environmental activists have also raised concerns about the potential long-term impact of the waste crisis on the local ecosystem.
“If this garbage isn’t removed soon, it will start affecting the drainage system and could lead to flooding when the rains come,” said an activist from a local environmental group.
The marketeers have called on the national government to intervene, urging Monrovia City authorities to fulfill their mandate and clear the backlog of waste before the situation worsens.
“We are appealing to the national government to come to our aid,” said another marketeer. “This is not just about business — it’s about our health and survival.”
Some marketeers have suggested that the government should consider privatizing waste collection services to improve efficiency and ensure timely garbage removal.
“If the city can’t handle it, maybe they should allow private companies to step in and help,” said a vendor.
Community leaders have also expressed support for the marketeers’ demands, highlighting the need for stronger oversight and accountability within the Monrovia City Corporation.
“It’s unacceptable that people are paying for a service they’re not receiving,” said a community leader. “The city government needs to answer for this failure.”
As of now, there has been no official response from the Monrovia City Corporation regarding the marketeers’ complaints.
However, pressure is mounting on city officials to take immediate action to address the growing sanitation crisis in the Duala Market District.
Local residents have warned that if the situation remains unresolved, they may be forced to stage protests or other forms of civil action to draw attention to the issue.
“We’ve been patient long enough,” said one resident. “If they don’t act soon, we’ll have no choice but to take to the streets.”
The marketeers remain hopeful that their voices will be heard and that the authorities will act swiftly to resolve the crisis.
“We just want a clean and safe place to work,” said a vendor. “That’s not too much to ask.”
