JAMBI, Jambi: Three villages in Muarotebo district in Tebo regency are being plagued by flies, possibly due to pollution from a palm oil company that is allegedly discharging its waste into nearby swamps.
The swarms of flies have forced residents to keep their houses closed up. This has severely affected their daily activities, especially during last week’s Idul Fitri celebrations.
“The waste discharged by PT Tebo Plasma Inti Lestari has created a breeding ground for the flies,” Sofwarrahman, head of Muarakilis, one of the three affected villages, said Monday. The other two affected villages are Pelayang and Sungaikeruh.
Residents allege the dumped waste has flowed into the Batanghari River, creating a bad smell.
Sofwarrahman urged the Tebo regency health office to send a team to investigate the fly plague to prevent it from causing disease outbreaks. — JP
