Mark Beckford, Gleaner Writer

Several residents of Washington Boulevard and its environs say they are willing to seek compensation from the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA), the agency responsible for the Riverton landfill, or the Attorney-General, for illnesses and other damage caused by the smoke emitting from the dump for over a week now.

Up to yesterday morning, thick clouds of smoke still enveloped the Washington Boulevard area and several residents complained bitterly about the nuisance it has become, as The Gleaner toured sections of the area affected.

One resident, Colleen Edwards, who was badly affected, had to seek medical attention after she fell ill. "I had to go to the doctor because I was coughing and blood and dust came up. It also affected my neighbour and she don't come out no time at all."

Edwards, a four-year resident of Weymouth Drive, said large amounts of smoke severely affect residents whenever the dump is lit, and she is considering seeking redress from the Government.

Clothing destroyed

Another resident, Pauline Fagan, believes the Government should compensate individuals who have been affected by the smoke. "It affect me bad because the clothes on the line have to be taken off and washed again and again, and at nights we are coughing a lot. They need to do something about the dump because it a affect we bad, bad, bad," the resident of Cardigan Crescent said.

Fagan says she is willing to take her claims to the Government, as several pieces of her clothing have been rendered useless by the smoke.

"The other day we wash some white clothes and we have to take them off the line because them bad colour. Is not dat we want money, but we haffi go buy back the clothes. Me daughter school uniform get affected bad."

Businesses Affected

Public Defender Earl Witter had last week suggested a payback from the Government to persons who have fallen ill from the smoke from the landfill.

"It is our view that they would be entitled to compensation from the state and or the agencies of the state, who, whether by reason of malfeasance, maladministration, negligence or otherwise, have caused this nuisance to persist for as long as it has," Witter stated.

Businesses in the area were also affected by the smoke. Kadeen Barnes, an employee at Kris Kut Beauty and Barber Supplies, says that she and her co-workers will have to seek medical attention due to the smoke. Barnes also says that several customers have complained.

"Customers have come in and complained about it, and it has troubled me badly because I have to visit the doctor and the dust has covered everything," she added.