September 12 ,2020
Dear Editor,
Another crop, another suffering! Since the beginning of the new crop (grinding) at Uitvlugt Estate, we the residents are suffering tremendously from pollution coming from the chimneys. The black dust is creating serious problems; your house has to be closed or else everything is covered with dust. You cannot eat properly because as you eat the dust settles in your plate and in your water. You have to inhale the dust, everyone, babies, elderly, sick, strong, pregnant. When you wash clothes and hang them out to dry the dust changes the colour to black; nothing can be left outside. Your floor has to be cleaned regularly or else you cannot walk. Everything is affected by this black dust that comes out from the chimneys.
This problem started when the brilliant officials, managers, engineers and directors decided to cut the length of the chimneys unconcerned about the inconvenience and hardship the people will face and also additional financial burden. I have been told that the dust affects residents as far as Leguan island. This is a nuisance to us and no one from GuySuCo cares. This matter was raised many times with workers’ representatives and other estate officials yet nothing has been done. Earlier this year a letter was sent to the estate manager requesting a meeting to discuss matters in relation to this problem and other issues and we were not even acknowledged. Can you imagine going out with good clothes and dust covering you. Can the relevant authorities: Ministry of Health, Environmental Protection Agency, GuySuCo directors, union officials and all who care and are concerned about the well-being of the citizens of this community and surrounding areas help to fix this problem?
As human beings we must also be human.
Yours faithfully,
Jake Mangal