Garbage bins set on fire to kill stench

Residents are setting fire to garbage containers instead of waiting for them to be emptied, the Civil Defence Department announced yesterday.

Colonel Saeed Imbasi, who heads the department, said some people were acting irresponsibly and setting fire to the overloaded containers.

The department announced scores of these fires had been reported since the beginning of Ramadan.

Colonel Imbasi added such behaviour was irresponsible and the noxious smoke put people's lives at risk.

He said because the amount of rubbish increased during Ramadan the authorities should empty the containers more often.

Many people were also throwing their rubbish ootside because the containers were full.

In many areas residents have noticed the containers are not cleaned on a regular basis and have complained to the emirate's municipality and the emirate's Works and General Services.

The residents said their complaints had not been taken seriously and so to get rid of the smell coming from the containers, some people were setting fire to them.

A municipal official said the number of complaints from the public demanding the containers be cleaned on a daily basis had increased.

The official added the authorities only had a limited number of vehicles to unload the garbage containers.

He said the number of municipal labourers to clean the streets had increased during Ramadan.

Colonel Imbasi added those who set fire to the containers would be punished.