Local landfill shut down
Residents west of Hilla decry garbage pileup, blame municipality’s inefficiency
BABIL, January 31 — The streets and public squares of Abi Gharq, west of Hilla, are overwhelmed with a build up of accumulated garbage, distressing local residents who say the local municipality’s inefficiency is to blame.
Area residents report trash piles lasting as long as two weeks, resulting in strong odors and attracting stray dogs.
Falah Al-Musafir, a teacher, expressed concerns to 964media, saying, “Unfortunately, the municipality has become incapable of cleaning the district despite its small size. The city center has turned into a dump because of the accumulation of garbage.”
“There are no garbage containers, so residents are forced to throw trash in specific areas, either on the roadside or in some squares near residential neighborhoods, leading to piles of trash and foul smells,” Al-Musafir added.
Qasim Alwan Hamza, head of the local environment department, told 964media, “There is a significant shortage of [garbage trucks], with no more than six available, most of which are old and dilapidated.”
“The cleaning workforce consists of only 45 workers, while the district, with a population exceeding 22,000 in the center alone, needs at least 150 workers,” he added.
Hamza further highlighted the absence of a proper garbage dump. “There used to be one landfill, but it was closed for failing to meet environmental and health standards.”
