Parbatie ‘Rita’ Somai and her family of Lot 76 New Scheme, Herstelling, East Bank Demerara say they are constantly getting sick as a result of a drum-washing business being operated by one of their neighbours in which chemical fumes emitted during the process drift over to them.
The businessman, Renee Khemraj has however denied the claim.
Somai also charged that the Herstelling/Little Diamond Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) on the East Bank Demerara has facilitated the business that includes operating on parapets and blocking off an entire stretch of space leading to the public road.
Somai, 64, told Kiskadee Watch that her throat becomes extremely dry at times, leaving her feeling as though she could barely breathe. She described it as though her throat was bruised, noting that the chemical fumes appear to be drying it out. She further said that the chemicals are also causing illness to her grandchildren and other members of her family.
Her daughter-in-law, Darshanie Mahendranauth, shared that it was only after leaving Essequibo and moving to live with her husband at Herstelling that she began suffering from constant headaches and bleeding through her nose. She said her first son has been ill from infancy and she believes it’s all due to the fumes from the chemicals. “When he use his pressure washer to wash his drums, all of the fumes come back to us. We get headaches upon headaches,” she shared, adding, “My son is sick from day one.”
The mother of two say that whenever they go to make a report at the NDC, they are not taken seriously. She said the staff either don’t have a book or pen to record the matter, and even when they do take the statements, they later claim that they are unable to find it.
Mahendranauth further shared that a road that was a convenient access to the scheme is now closed, despite it having been opened for years. The road, commonly used as a shortcut, is located just after Mocha Road and the current closure now forces residents to travel around and enter the community via the Farm Public Road. She claimed that Khemraj, who is responsible for blocking the route, has stated that he received permission from the NDC to use the space to store his drums and conduct his business.
But Khemraj disputed the claims, stating that the road in question had previously been opened but was later blocked by the NDC. He said the route now serves as a single point of entry and exit because the nearby dam is deteriorating.
Addressing allegations that chemical fumes from the drum-washing operation are causing illnesses, Khemraj said residents should provide medical documentation to substantiate their claims, noting that that he employs three workers and has two young children, none of whom has experienced any health issues that was attributed to the business. However, Kiskadee Watch observed an individual from inside Khemraj’s home calling out to him to attend to his daughter, who was reportedly vomiting at the time.
Officers from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) visited the premises earlier yesterday after the matter was brought to light on Monday evening by Leader of the Opposition Azruddin Mohamed on his Team Mohamed’s Facebook page.
Deputy Chairman of the NDC Devanand Indar told this publication that the council decided to restrict access to the road, allowing only light vehicles and emergency traffic to use it. He noted, however, that the road is expected to be reopened in the future and maintained that the route was never intended to serve as an official access road.
Addressing concerns about chemical fumes from the drum-washing operation, he stated that there is no evidence of a chemical issue. According to him, the barrels are imported from Trinidad and are brand-new when they arrive. He questioned how such products could be allowed into the country if they contained harmful chemicals.
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