By Amadou Jadama
Villagers of Mandinary have called on the government of President Adama Barrow to stop Sunny Company (Ltd) from operating in their village.
The company is recycling heavy fuel into petroleum.
Addressing a press conference convened by the villagers, the spokesman of the Village Development Committee, Yusupha Touray said the activities of the company create a foul odour which makes life very hard for the villagers who must endure foul smell for much of the time the company works each day.
Mr Touray disclosed that they have written many letters to various authorities, among them the National Environment Agency, the Governor of West Coast Region, as well as the police commissioner but none of them has acted on the matter. “This was since from the time of the Jammeh regime right to now. We are very disappointed that government is not doing anything about our plight,” he lamented. The VDC spokesman said they even informed the company that they want them to stop operations.
He said environmental damage caused by the activities of the company poses a long-term health threat to the village and they would not allow it to continue.
Alagie Manneh, vice Chairperson VDC accused Sunny Company of operating without showing any proof of a permit to the villagers. “The recycling is posing a lot of environmental hazards to the community,” he said.
Manneh said the only cause left open to the village is to address the government and the public through the media.
