By Precious D. Freeman
Marketers at Red Light Market in Paynesville are expressing frustration and despair over the appalling sanitation conditions in the area.
They lamented that the overwhelming foul smell from uncollected garbage has made their working conditions unbearable, yet they have nowhere else to go.
“We are suffering and tired of selling in garbage. The foul smell of trash makes even sitting around here unbearable, but we have nowhere else to go. Omega Market cannot accommodate all of us, which is why we continue to stay in Red Light,” some marketers said in frustration.
Despite their consistent payments for garbage collection, they say the situation remains dire.
According to them, they pay nearly L$20,000 monthly to the Paynesville City Corporation (PCC) for waste removal at least twice a week, yet the garbage continues to pile up, posing serious health risks to vendors and customers alike.
An elderly woman selling potato greens explained that the PCC had assured them the site was only temporary and that an alternative would be found.
However, over a year later, the location remains a major dumping ground not only for marketers but also for nearby residents who find it convenient for disposing of their waste.
“We are forced to inhale this stench every day. We get colds and other diseases,” she said, urging the PCC to clear the existing waste and relocate the disposal site to a more suitable area, far from human interaction, particularly marketplaces.
Food items are being sold openly next to growing garbage piles, with flies swarming the area, increasing the risk of contamination and disease outbreaks.
Responding to their dissatisfaction the Director of Communications and Public Affairs at the PCC Jeremiah Diggen acknowledged the concerns but refuted claims that the municipal authorities were deliberately neglecting waste management.
He insisted that garbage is removed regularly—weekly or biweekly, depending on available resources.
“That site is a temporary location, and we’ve been regularly removing garbage, but we face challenges in identifying a suitable dumping ground. The only available landfill in Wein Town has been closed due to lack of space,” Diggen stated.
He assured that efforts are underway to secure an alternative landfill and that the government is engaging waste management companies to expedite garbage collection.
“We acknowledge the concerns of the marketers and residents, and we are actively working to resolve the issue,” Diggen said. “We urge them to remain patient as we finalize plans to identify a new waste disposal site and improve collection efficiency.”
Despite these assurances, the health risks continue to mount. Medical professionals warn that prolonged exposure to decomposing waste and toxic fumes could trigger a public health crisis.
Public health specialist Jerome Tolbert explained that the unhygienic conditions at Pipeline Road Junction pose severe health threats, including respiratory infections, diarrhea, malaria, and typhoid.
“The presence of decomposing waste and uncontrolled dumping exposes people to dangerous bacteria and viruses. Children who accompany their parents to the market, as well as the elderly, are particularly vulnerable,” Dr. Tolbert warned. “If not addressed, this situation could lead to widespread illness and an overwhelmed healthcare system.”
Frustrated marketers and community members are considering a protest to demand immediate intervention from city authorities.
“We are planning to take to the streets if they don’t act soon,” said Ma Watta, a local vendor. “We cannot continue to risk our health and the health of our children. If they won’t move the garbage, we will make our voices heard.”
Meanwhile, civil society organizations are calling for greater accountability and transparency in waste management policies to prevent similar crises in the future.
Critics argue that the government’s slow response highlights deeper issues of inefficiency and neglect.
As tensions rise, the question remains: will the PCC take decisive action, or will the crisis at Red Light Market continue to spiral out of control?
The fate of thousands of marketers and residents hangs in the balance.