Okaz/Saudi Gazette MAHAYIL ASIR — People living in villages west of Mahayil Asir in the southern Asir province have warned the authorities against an environmental catastrophe that might befall them as a result of sewage dumping by tanker drivers in places close to their homes, spreading a nasty smell and producing disease-carrying mosquitoes. "We have been suffering from environment pollution caused by unloading of sewage in the area for the last 10 years," said Ahmed Zayed while speaking to Okaz/Saudi Gazette. Villages of Malsa, Ghalfa, Tayyiba and Tadhbi are the main victims of this unscrupulous activity. "We have been calling to remove the Anbar Lake, which was created by sewage dumping but we have not seen the authorities taking any corrective measures," he added. Zayed said the sewage lake located just 400 meters away from their homes. "This lake formed over a period of 10 years. This polluted water gets mixed with floodwater and flows in our farms. Some of our livestock have died after drinking this water," he added. He said the villagers had presented several complaints to the chief administrator of Mahayil Asir and the municipal chairman to fill the lake to reduce its negative impact on their health. "But they have not taken any action to correct the situation," he said, adding that the sewage dump must be moved to a remote location. Saeed Aseeri said children in the area begin their day inhaling the polluted air that comes from the sewage lake as well as from burning of the waste and dead animals. "Fires are common in the area and have destroyed trees and plantations," he pointed out. Salim Aseeri expressed anguish over the official negligence in allowing tanker drivers to dump sewage near residential areas. "The dumping place has also become a hideout for illegal foreigners. They have set up makeshift huts in the area," Aseeri said. He said the pollution caused by the sewage and waste dump west of Mahayil Asir was spreading infectious diseases in nearby villages. Ali Ibrahim Ahmed said the smoke that comes from burning waste covers nearby villages. He accused African immigrants of burning the waste to extract recyclable materials. Mufreh Ali Omar said some illegal expats were living on metals and plastic collected from the dump. "The presence of these illegal foreigners frightens citizens because they would not hesitate to do anything if they can get money," Omar said. Mahayil Asir's Municipal Chairman Ali Al-Shahri acknowledged that some illegal expats were burning waste in order to take metals, cables and plastic for recycling. "We wanted to stop this practice and used to send field inspectors but these people disappear at the sight of our officials," he pointed out. Al-Shahri said he had discussed with the chief administrator of Mahayil the possibility of shifting the dump to another place away from the residential districts. Islam Bin Abdullah Al-Musfir, director of environment and water, said the local council had discussed the pollution caused by the Anbar Lake and prospects of shifting the dump to a remote place.
