October 26, 2013
Hon. Hubert B. Hughes
Minister of Health
Caribbean Commercial Center
The Valley
Anguilla, B.W.I
RESIDENTS COMPLAIN ABOUT FLIES
Dear Minister of Health,
We are writing to you concerning the on-going fly infestation in the Long Ground/Corito area which has been a problem since September 2012. In September and October of 2012, the fly infestation spread island-wide. While measures were taken at that time, we in Long Ground have continued to live with this problem for 13 months. Repeated monthly calls made to the Department of Environmental Health have not produced any positive long term results. The fly infestation in our village varies from low volume, which s unacceptable, to an unbearable condition where it is impossible to breathe or cook food without swallowing flies, as was the situation again this past weekend. Can you imagine furniture, bedding, countertops, floors blackened by a layer of flies? Can you imagine walking your land and with each footstep causing the flies to swarm about your face?
We are certain that you are fully aware of the health risks that infestation may cause along with the possibility of an epidemic. We respectfully request that the Government of Anguilla, who is responsible for the management of the Corito landfill site, rectify this problem by either training the person who is currently managing the landfill of hiring someone who is capable.
We ask to be informed of the actions that will be taken to eradicate the fly infestation in our area.
Sincerely,
Amy Williams
Jackie Pascher
Lendon Williams
Cc:
Dr. Bonnie Richardson-Lake, PS, Minister of Health
Hon. Evan Gumbs, MICUH
Her Excellency, Governor Christina Scott
Hon. James Wood Q.C., Attorney General of Anguilla
Ambrell Richardson, Director of Health Protection
Kathy Rogers, Department of Environmental Health
Nat Hodge, Editor of The Anguillian
Mr. Evan McNeil Rogers, Leader of the Opposition