While the ongoing South Coast sewage crisis continues to capture national attention, some residents of St Lawrence, Christ Church, feel as though they are the forgotten ones.
A handful of residents from the small neighbourhood gathered Friday at the now-closed St Lawrence Primary School to say they had been struggling with the smell of the stagnant sewage water and the mosquitos breeding in it for some time.
Lifelong resident Carlton Croney said he had been battling mosquitos like never before.
“These mosquitos are young vampires . . . . I had dengue three times and also I had Chikungunya, and that wasn’t easy,” the 71-year-old told the media yesterday.
The increase in mosquitos has not gone unnoticed by the authorities as the Environmental Health Department in the Ministry of Health recently started an increased fogging campaign to combat the dangerous pest.
In addition to the fogging, the ministry has also increased the level of surveillance, also visiting householders and businesses and keeping watch on activities within the swamp.
Despite these efforts, it seems the mosquito problem has persisted.
Another resident, who requested to remain anonymous, said: “We know the Government cannot do everything, but we of Christ Church South need help. We are pleading and we are crying out for help.
“There are little things in the neighbourhood that the Government or whoever could do to assist us. Just hear our plea and see what’s going on,” the woman added.
She said she had reported the overflows near the school to the Barbados Water Authority after seeing the problem while walking by the school.
And while the students had since been moved to other sites such as St Matthias Anglican Church and St Lawrence Church, the woman said she was still worried about children who live in the area.
They voiced their concerns as Barbados Labour Party candidate for Christ Church South Ralph Thorne donated insect repellant, insecticide and mosquito nets to help residents combat the issue. Thorne spoke out on the challenges faced by people livng in the communities along the South Coast.
“A lot of focus and a lot of attention has been placed on the business places and legitimately so . . . ” Thorne told the media.
“But off the main road has been an extremely big problem and it has made victims of the people who live here.” (AD)
