Al-Bayda – The Public Prosecutor’s Office within the jurisdiction of the Al-Bayda Court of Appeal has issued urgent instructions to the Mayor of Al-Bayda municipality, following an increase in citizen complaints about the worsening phenomenon of waste burning at the landfill south of the city and its resulting environmental and health damage.
In a statement, the office clarified that the smoke rising from the burning operations causes air pollution and increased foul odors, in addition to the spread of dust and toxic substances from the incineration of waste. This poses a risk to public health and increases the prevalence of respiratory diseases and allergies, especially among children and the elderly.
The Public Prosecution stressed that the persistence of this phenomenon is due to the lack of enforcement of regulations related to landfill management and negligence by responsible authorities in taking the necessary measures to address the problem at its roots. It noted that the laxity of some officials has complicated the situation and increased the suffering of residents.
The Public Prosecutor demanded that the mayor of the municipality take practical and urgent steps, including organizing and managing sanitation affairs, identifying alternative locations for garbage collection away from residential areas, and treating the current landfill using environmentally sound methods. He also stressed the need to develop permanent solutions in cooperation with relevant authorities to ensure an improved quality of life and services within the municipality.
The statement affirmed that addressing the problem is an administrative and legal duty that cannot be delayed, warning that the continuation of the situation will lead to accountability for anyone found negligent or derelict in their official duties.
The Public Prosecutor’s Office concluded its directive by emphasizing the need to adhere to sound government approaches in waste management and maintaining public cleanliness to avoid the recurrence of health and environmental problems caused by improper waste handling practices.