Hargeysa, 1 April 2009 (Somalilandpress) - Several years ago, the location of the new bus station of Jig-Jiga Yar village in the north-west outskirts of Hargeysa—the capital city of Somaliland— used to be a clean open grounds.
Now, the situation of the surrounding is completely different!
Apart from the increasing construction work in the area, on the edges close to the few remaining blocks of land (demarcated areas reserved for future construction by its owners) is covered by dark motor oil which bus drivers regularly change from their cars and split it on the ground
Furthermore, many leaking motor oil filters which were carelessly thrown are visible all over the vicinity. What a mess!
There are around 90 buses regular working and stationed there. “Changing oil from the car depends on the distance; if we travel a short distance, we change once a month, whereas if the distance is long, minimally twice a month is inevitable” said an anonymous bus driver.
Many young footballers who used to exercise their soccer habit in these open grounds—before the rightful owner builds— now turned away their attention as these drivers spoil their only non-their-property temporary playgrounds
Because the physical appearances of the areas become ugly due to disposed motor oil; therefore many people as garbage disposal commune..
However, the big question is: What are the side affects this disposed motor oil can cause to the environment?
The problems are not one…two…three but they are outnumbered.
Environmental experts say one gallon of oil contaminates a million gallons of water. Used motor oil is soluble, persistent and contains toxic chemical and heavy metals. It slows degrade the soil. Oil sticks to every thing from birth feathers to beach sand. It is a major source of contaminated waterways and polluted drinking water.
In addition, future plantation would be impossible in oil-spoiled soils; causing deforestation which may have its long-range environmental effects. Landlords will especially face the biggest problem when they tend to aspire planting few trees in front of their buildings.
The worst problem is when the water-table is contaminated due to ground which is absorbing it .This could, therefore, cause major health problems to many citizens who fetch water from the dams, shallow wells or drill waters in the vicinity.
This bad behavior is not only specific to the bus drivers, but it’s also common practice among other car users especially Lorries drivers and many garage workers.
In conclusion, the local government should do something about; it has to establish public motor oil change centers to avoid future environmental problems.
Adnan Abdi Hassan
Hargeysa, Somaliland
cadnaanr@yahoo.com

 

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