Health hazard: ‘Citizens, be careful in disposing offal, waste’

People did not cooperate with us, says FWMC managing director

FAISALABAD:

Offal of hundreds of thousands animals slaughtered on Eidul Azha can be seen on the streets and public spaces of Faisalabad. The lack of attention to disposal of the offal and implementation of health rules has created a host of problems including choking of the sewage system in the parts of the city.

Faisalabad Waste Management Company Managing Director Amjad Ali Awan said the FWMC had prepared to remove 9,000 tonnes of animal waste and entrails during the three Eid holidays. “But the amount of offal and waste went beyond the expected number,” he said.

The FWMC had made special arrangements to ensure cleanliness in the city but most people did not cooperate and disposed of offal in public spaces, he said. “However FWMC workers arrived these places immediately upon being informed and disposed of the waste,” he said.

Awan said the FWMC had arranged for 400 handcarts, 200 additional waste bins and 2,000 uniforms for FWMC workers in 113 union councils ahead of Eidul Azha.



The FWMC also distributed more than 50,000 bio-degradable bags among people free of cost. “This was done to promote a sense of civic duty and encourage people to manage animal waste in a more responsible manner.”  However, due to financial constraints, bags could not be distributed among all the citizens, he said.

They [the people] were requested to cooperate with the company to ensure early removal and disposal of offal, Awan said. He said 18 temporary dumping sites had been identified for the purpose.

Another reason for the city-wide mess was the lack of common spaces where citizens could sacrifice animals. Instead most people chose to slaughter their animals in the streets and market squares near their houses and dumped the offal there, causing a health hazard. Several parks, roadsides, green belts, school and hospital boundaries and sewerage drains were seen littered with animal waste.

A perusal of the streets during Eid days showed that even though the FWMC had placed waste containers in various parts of the city many of them had not been used for their designated purpose.

Sale of animal hides under unhygienic conditions had also created a foul smell in several areas.

Dr Akhtar Hameed of the Punjab Medical College said many people chose to dispose of offal near their houses without considering the associated health risk.

He said unmanaged disposal led to infestation of rodents, vultures, crows, cats and dogs, making disposal sites a breeding ground for a multitude of diseases. “People should think twice before throwing entrails near their houses.”

Dr Hameed said some people discarded waste in the nearest vacant ground or outside their homes hoping that the waste management company would take care of it. “They should know that they can keep the environment clean by taking responsibility for their waste.”

He said roads lined with blood-encrusted entrails and hides with flies hovering over it made for a disgusting sight.

“Why would one want to invite diseases knowing that a few simple steps could ensure a happy, clean and hygienic Eid”, he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 9^th, 2014.