Abou Faour Urges People against Burning Piling Garbage, Calls for Patience

Health Minister Wael Abou Faour urged the people on Monday to adopt a number of precautions when tackling the ongoing trash disposal crisis.

He called on them against burning waste that has overflowed in dumpsters, warning of cancer hazards it presents.

People have resorted to burning dumpsters after they could no longer contain the piling waste.

Abou Faour also denied during a press conference claims that the trash is conducive to the spread of malaria.

In addition, he called against spraying the garbage with chemicals “in a haphazard manner,” saying instead that the Sukleen waste collection company has been sprinkling a calcium powder over the garbage to help its decomposition.

The powder is not hazardous to the environment and helps prevent the spread of pests, Abou Faour explained.

The minister acknowledged the “grave shortcomings” of officials in handling the waste disposal issue, saying that Prime Minister Tammam Salam, Speaker Nabih Berri, Mustaqbal Movement chief MP Saad Hariri, and Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat have been carrying out contacts to reach a solution to the crisis.

Abou Faour said a memo on his precautions has been sent to Sukleen and the concerned ministries.

“These are temporary solutions until permanent ones are reached,” he stressed, while urging the people to exercise patience in approaching the crisis.

Beirut and Mount Lebanon plunged in a waste crisis following the July 17 closure of the Naameh landfill.

The government pledged last year that the landfill would be closed and an alternative site be found. But the date came and went with no solution found.

Initially, Sukleen stored waste at its facilities, but by July 20 they were at capacity and garbage began piling up on the streets.

M.T.

G.K.