Leaves, plastics, Keeze (plastic bags) and other household waste may appear harmless when dumped around homes, but they can cause serious environmental problems, particularly during the rainy season.
Residents must stop piling rubbish in their surroundings or dumping waste in drainage channels. Such irresponsible practices block the free flow of rainwater, causing flooding in residential areas, damaging property and creating unhygienic conditions.
Blocked drainage systems also provide breeding grounds for mosquitoes and other disease-carrying insects, exposing communities to preventable health risks.
Keeping the environment clean should not be left entirely to municipal authorities. Every household, landlord, business owner and tenant has a responsibility to ensure that waste is properly collected and disposed of at designated dumping sites.
Residents should avoid throwing plastic bags, food remains, leaves and other rubbish into drainage channels. Instead, households should establish proper waste disposal practices and regularly clean their compounds.
Juba City Council and other local authorities must also strengthen garbage collection services, provide accessible waste disposal facilities and enforce sanitation regulations.
A clean environment begins with individual responsibility. We must understand that preventing blocked drainage channels is cheaper and safer than dealing with the consequences of flooding. Let us keep our surroundings clean and protect our communities.