Sahrfoa Matturie
Residents of Makeni are raising alarm over persistent heavy smoke that blankets parts of the city at night, triggering growing concerns about public health and environmental safety.
Across several neighborhoods, thick plumes of smoke rise after dark, largely linked to the open burning of household waste. What should be a period of cooler, cleaner air has instead become a time when many residents shut their doors and windows to avoid inhaling polluted air.
“It happens almost every night,” said Princess Magdalene Momoh. “You wake up coughing, your eyes are burning, and the smell lingers everywhere. It’s getting worse.”
Residents say the problem has persisted for years, with little visible intervention from authorities. Many attribute the situation to gaps in waste collection services, leaving households and informal waste handlers with few options beyond open burning.
Health professionals warn that prolonged exposure to smoke poses serious risks, particularly for children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory conditions such as asthma. Common symptoms reported include persistent coughing, breathing difficulties, headaches, and eye irritation.
Environmental advocates also caution that open burning releases harmful pollutants into the atmosphere, contributing to both immediate health hazards and long-term environmental degradation.
Despite repeated complaints, residents say response efforts—especially at night—remain inadequate. “During the day, you might hear promises,” said Yayah Turay, a student at the University of Makeni. “But at night, the smoke tells a different story.”
Calls are intensifying for the Makeni City Council to take decisive action. Proposed measures include strengthening waste collection systems, establishing designated disposal sites, and enforcing regulations against indiscriminate burning.
For now, the smoke continues to hang over Makeni after sunset, leaving residents frustrated and increasingly concerned about the air they breathe.
