Conakry rubbish piles up after landfill closure

Rubbish is piling up along roads, outside homes and under bridges in Guinea's capital Conakry after authorities closed a major landfill, creating growing health risks for residents.

The Dar-es-Salam landfill was shut permanently after 36 people died in late August when heavy rains triggered a trash landslide that swept away nearby makeshift homes.

Residents and waste collectors say rubbish collection has slowed because the main alternative site at Baritode, in the suburb of Coyah, is difficult to reach. Oumar Pathe Bah, who runs a small waste-collection business, said trucks can spend most of the day travelling to and from Baritode, about 125 kilometres from Conakry.

Conakry produces about 3,000 tonnes of waste a day. Siriman Conde of BCEIP Environnement, a company involved in waste management, said collectors need access to a modern, controlled landfill.

Guinean authorities began rehabilitation work at Dar-es-Salam on Monday. The site is to be stabilised and decontaminated before being turned into a park. A new waste disposal facility is also under construction at Baritode.