This is Healthy … For Arubans and Tourist Alike, Illegal Dump Moko Burning

I guess one would say that there is no EPA on the island of Aruba. A burning illegal dump burning beneath the surface could not be extinguished. What a pleasant thought the ground is burning and even more pleasant smell for those in the vicinity. The ATAHA claims they are concerned about the litter, really? Aruba knows of its illegal dumps but does nothing about it. Seems to be a running theme.

On Monday morning the environmental police wasn’t even aware of problems on Moko.

They praise their white sandy beaches, but have no explanation for their #98 ranking on the National Geographic list of cleanest countries in the world.

Just what the neighbours were afraid of, the fire that started in the 20 meters deep pit of waste cannot be extinguished.  The fire department and the police cannot do anything other than monitor the fire.  They advised the owner on Saturday to take measures.  The stench and smoke is unbearable for the neighbours.  Several of them have already been evacuated to family or friends. 

On Friday evening around sunset, the fire department received reporting that there was fire on the illegal dump Moko.  At that time, the fire department could already smell that something was smoldering.  The fire caused considerable smoke developments and due to the hard wind, the fire could be smelled in big parts of Noord. (Amigoe)

Does it ever dawn on anyone in Aruba the contaminants that they put into the air or is it simply and out of sight out of mind situation as the wind blows the problem away? Even on a selfish and capitalistic approach, does the ATA ever give it a second thought about how air quality could be affecting tourism? How about the illegal dumping into the ground? Does anyone in Aruba care what they are doing to their own island? With the Valero oil refinery on one part of the island and illegal dumps burning at others, must make for a nice and healthy vacation.

The situation was worse on Sunday.  Several neighbours that could no longer stand the smell went elsewhere; away from the smoke.

Remember what Muller, former director of the Portuguese Service for Tourism, told Jan van Nes, chairman of the ATSA prior to the Queens visit last November.

“that compared with his last visit to Aruba, the island is quite filthy”.

Much like when Rome burned, Nero sat by an watched. In this case as the illegal dump burned, ATCO continued to dump.

While the illegal dump is heavily shouldering, Atco is dumping.  The fire department told the owner to cover the fire with sand, but according to the neighbours, Atco was carrying very flammable pallet residue.

Surprisingly, instead of bringing sand, Atco came with three trucks full of pallet residue.  The drivers were ordered by their boss to empty the trucks.  They didn’t know more. Atco was not available for comments on Monday morning.

Amigoe, February 6, 2007:  Illegal dump Moko is burning since Friday morning

While the illegal dump is heavily smouldering, Atco is dumping.  The fire department told the owner to cover the fire with sand, but according to the neighbours, Atco was carrying very flammable pallet residue.

ORANJESTAD – Just what the neighbours were afraid of, the fire that started in the 20 meters deep pit of waste cannot be extinguished.  The fire department and the police cannot do anything other than monitor the fire.  They advised the owner on Saturday to take measures.  The stench and smoke is unbearable for the neighbours.  Several of them have already been evacuated to family or friends. 

On Friday evening around sunset, the fire department received reporting that there was fire on the illegal dump Monk.  At that time, the fire department could already smell that something was smouldering.  The fire caused considerable smoke developments and due to the hard wind, the fire could be smelled in big parts of Noord.   

It was already too dark when the fire department reached the site on Friday evening.  The fire could have been extinguished with a whole lot of water, but because it was too dark and the grounds around the pit was too dangerous for heavy equipment, the fire brigade returned to their station without being able to do anything. 

They didn’t think that the fire was an immediate danger to the buildings in the area and besides, they didn’t have enough water to really put the fire out.  The pit is deep and it contains about 20 meter of waste,which was smouldering.  Fire like this can take weeks before it is extinguished.   

The fire brigade came back on Saturday morning.  The rain and hard wind didn’t help any.  It only stirred up more smoke.  They ordered the owner to take measures and pour sand over the fire.  The owner promised to do this and would involve Atco, a permanent customer on this dump.

Surprisingly, instead of bringing sand, Atco came with three trucks full of pallet residue.  The drivers were ordered by their boss to empty the trucks.  They didn’t know more. Atco was not available for comments on Monday morning. 

The situation was worse on Sunday.  Several neighbours that could no longer stand the smell went elsewhere; away from the smoke.  Also on Sunday did the fire department monitor the fire.  They did this with a helicopter.  The wisp of smoke was gigantic, but there was no danger for the neighbouring buildings.   On Monday morning the environmental police wasn’t even aware of problems on Monk.  They promised to get informed as soon as possible and figure out what legal steps can be taken against the owner and users of the illegal dump.    

The neighbours instituted legal proceedings against the owner to force him to take measures.  They also want to make the owner and users liable for all the consequences of this fire and smoke development.  The fire department didn’t determine how the air quality in the wisp of smoke is.