“To be honest what we’ve seen on the site is shocking – the smoke, fire and gases coming out of the burning compost are terrible.”
That was the immediate reaction of MMC for Environment and Infrastructure Services Department (EISD), Councillor Mpho Moerane after visiting the Panorama Compost Site in Allen’s Nek on Saturday, 17 October.
Moerane and a delegation of Pikitup officials paid the toxic site a visit to assess the progress of the intensive work that has been put into extinguishing the fire. The site has been smouldering since 28 September.
Although huge progress has been made, many of the heaps were still smouldering – keeping the contracted forces busy.
Considering the rate at which the job is being carried out, Moerane was confident when he told the Northsider that the fire should be something of the past before the end of this week.
“We are assuring residents that by Wednesday (21 October) we will have put out the fire. We as the City, and Pikitup in particular, are trying very hard to stop this fire,” he said.
The MMC said they have asked the Department of Environment to install an air-quality monitoring station to measure the air quality in the area.
This plant has left numerous residents reeling and feeling sick as the fumes sneak onto their properties and pose a risk to their health. The frustrated residents who have even signed a petition against it have called for the site to be moved.
However, Moerane responded that assessments have to be made before any decision is taken. “After the fire has been put out, we will close it temporarily and evaluate it, come up with plans and announce what the future holds for this compost site,” he explained.
Regarding the waste pickers and others living on the boundaries of the plant illegally, which has been a cause for concern, Moerane said they cannot be removed from the area without a solution.
“To remove them, we first need to find land, consult with the Department of Housing and Social Development and come up with plans to relocate them elsewhere to ensure that this event does not repeat itself,” he responded.
Moerane concluded by indicating that his office will ask the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) to monitor the site and enforce the by-laws.
