Abou Faour Underlines Threats of Trash Crisis: Political Powers Hold Key to Ending it

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Health Minister Wael Abou Faour highlighted on Monday the threats posed by the ongoing waste disposal problem in Lebanon, saying that the temporary dumps for Beirut's garbage are nearing their capacity.

He urged during a press conference the government to “take the fastest solution to resolve the problem because time is not on our side.”

The cabinet has been studying the possibility of exporting the waste.

“It appears that we are facing a long-term problem over waste disposal,” he remarked.

He noted that the temporary dump established near Rafik Hariri International Airport poses a threat to nearby residential areas due to the hazardous fumes and stench.

It also poses a threat to aviation because of the increase in birds that are dangerous to planes, he explained.

The other dump for Beirut waste, said Abou Faour, is located in the Karantina area near a flour mill.

He warned that the mill will be exposed to the hazards of the garbage, such as rodents and other pests, which in turn will affect flour production and consequently create a bread shortage in the country.

Given these challenges, he called on the cabinet to reach an agreement on exporting the waste.

Until such an agreement is reached, the minister urged the people to exercise precautions and avoid burning the trash.

“Such a measure is a greater danger to the environment and will not influence the cabinet,” noted Abou Faour.

Burning the waste raises cancer, asthma, breathing risks, and other hazards, he warned.

In addition, the minister advised people against spraying pesticides on the garbage because, in the long-run, the pests will develop immunity against them.

The minister therefore urged them to continue on using the calcium powder at dump sites, saying it is the most effective.

Addressing reports of the possible spread of cholera due to the waste crisis, he explained that such threats existed before the problem began and that most cases were detected from travelers at the airport.

“These cases have been contained,” he reassured.

Moreover, he said that cholera can only be spread from one person to another and it is a virus that is linked to personal hygiene.

“The Health Ministry does not have a solution to the garbage crisis, but it has means to confront it,” he declared in conclusion.

“The political powers hold the solution to the crisis,” he stressed.

The waste disposal crisis erupted when the Naameh landfill, which since 1997 had been receiving the trash of Beirut and Mount Lebanon, was closed on July 17.

Following its closure, waste began to pile up on the streets despite a temporary solution to collect it.

But the decision led to protests by local officials and residents in several areas, who have refused to accept waste from outside their regions.

The smell of rotting garbage became worse with rising temperatures amid an unprecedented heat wave striking Lebanon and neighboring countries.

Officials have started to study the possibility of exporting the waste with German, French, and Swedish companies expressing interest.

M.T.

G.K.

Comments 2
Thumb galaxy 03 August 2015, 15:00

this is an example of the kind of minister abou faour is:
بعد أن انتقد الاعلامي نديم قطيش ضمن برنامجه “DNA” رئيس اللقاء الديمقراطي النائب وليد جنبلاط، ردّ وزير الصحة وائل ابو فاعور على قطيش بهجوم عنيف.

وقال أبو فاعور خلال رعايته عشاءً أقامه نادي “ضهر الأحمر الرياضي” في قضاء راشيا: “في أرذل الأزمان بات يتطاول على وليد جنبلاط مرتزق مأجور متلوّن مسعور، نديم رذالة ورذيل ندامة، لقيط سياسة سقيط نخاسة، يستغل منبراً نحترم، ويستظل موقعاً نقدر، ليتطاول على قامة لن يدرك أخمص الأخمص فيها، عله يلفت نظراً أو ينال حظوة أو يكسب رضى أو يتسول بعضاً من فضة، التي لطالما كانت هي الدافع في التجوال بين العقائد والانتماءات الكاذبة والارتزاق المتحول والمتجول، وبكل الأحوال فللحديث صلة، وقد فتح البيان على مصراعيه”.

Default-user-icon illegitimate & illiterate.southern (Guest) 03 August 2015, 16:51

not matter what the topic is you always well said.