Help! [Archives:2001/11/Focus]

Crystal
by Mohamed Kadri
T his week three cases related to pollution concern me. And to all concerned departments, especially the Environment Health Authority I address this week’s column.
Residents of Lesser Aden are observed to suffer from respiration and heart diseases. The reason is obvious and they know it very well. It’s because of the neighboring oil refinery located a few blocks from the center of Lesser Aden. To verify what I am saying, one can inquire how many pressure and heart attack cases the refinery hospital receives, especially during summer, i.e., when temperature is high. Hundreds of the residents of Lesser Aden had to be sent abroad for medical treatment since the refinery started its operation decades ago.
Certainly, moving the Refinery from its present location is beyond the resources of the government and is not a solution to think about right now. The solution and prevention, I think, can still be attempted. The solution could be of a technical nature by limiting the hazardous effects of the refinery and spreading awareness among the public so as to take the necessary protective measures.
Similarly, the area of Gabal Adaboua, in Taiz, is suffering due to smoke and wastes of the factories in the area. There were even residents who claimed that they suffered suffocation. Source of this malaise is a three-storeyed, lavishly built building guarded by armed men equipped with the best machine guns available. The building belongs to a rich man in the gold trade. Interestingly enough, the very same building provides residence for him and for his family. Yet, as if that is not enough, a fourth storey is being built to be a workshop for gold products sold to the country’s local gold market!
Finally, I should not forget to point out the recent complaints by the residents of Hadda area in Sanaa regarding the breathing and high blood pressure problems due to a soap factory. The hazardous smoke of exhausted fumes caused by the factory results in spreading pollution-related diseases.
Quick actions is easy to be taken; but are there ears willing to hear the voices?

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