Frustrated over what they say is neglect by Angostura to properly manage their industrial waste, residents of Phase Five, Beetham Gardens threw slush and murky water on the compound in protest yesterday.
The residents say the waste, which was collected from drains running parallel to the Priority Bus Route, was causing their children to become sick and they are tired of speaking with Angostura about the matter with little to no resolution.
Around 2 pm yesterday, fuelled by anger and bearing placards and the buckets of the waste the residents stormed the compound on Eastern Main Road demanding to speak with someone in authority.
The slush left a stench on the compound and was quickly washed away. The residents said their children have been getting rashes and feeling nauseous, dizzy due to the waste.
One resident took the T&T Guardian to the home of her neighbours who live just opposite the drain where the waste flows from Angostura saying that they have seen waste disposal truck from the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) removing some of the waste in the past.
Rose Gabriel said her children and others were victims of uncaring attitudes of the Angostura staff and called on the Ministry of Health to get involved. She and many of the residents questioned if their concerns were being overlooked because they lived at Beetham Gardens.
Gabriel said she researched some of the effects of the toxic exposure, highlighting that one time a lit cigarette was thrown into the drain and the entire area became engulfed in flames. Charred walls and vegetation were her only witnesses to the account.
Gabriel said if the waste was not toxic or otherwise harmful then it would not have ignited.
Contacted yesterday officials at Angostura said they noted the concerns of the residents and will investigate and respond to them in due course.
The Environmental Management Authority, in a statement, said a team has been sent to visit the affected areas to determine the source of the "environmental concern".
The release noted that the reports claimed there was an "unbearable odour" emanating from the drainage system in the vicinity of Angostura Ltd's facilities. "The EMA will continue to closely monitor the situation and provide any relevant updates as they become available" the release added.
Residents aid they are tired of meeting with the company and the waste was affecting the eco-system.