DUSTING OFF RESPONSIBILITY ON THE MR3

Sir,

I pen this letter with a gritty resolve, quite literally, as the MR3 public road in Pigg’s Peak—flanking the otherwise industrious plantations and rockland mills—has become a sandy spectacle worthy of a desert mirage. One might think we’ve stumbled into the Sahara, but no, it’s just the daily dusting courtesy of these mills’ relentless operations. Loose sand and dust coat the road like a stubborn film, and I’m left wondering if the mill bosses reckon it’s a charming rustic touch.

Spoiler: it’s not. Let’s talk culprits. The mills churn away, spewing this powdery plague with not a broom in sight. Where’s the accountability? I’d wager they’re too busy counting profits to notice the mess they’re leaving for the rest of us to choke on.

Action

And where, pray tell, is the Eswatini Environmental Authority in this dusty drama? Surely, they’re not just twiddling their thumbs while Pigg’s Peak morphs into a dustbowl. One might assume their job includes nudging negligent companies to clean up their act—or at least their roads. Yet, here we are, squinting through the haze, waiting for action that’s apparently lost in the wind.

The health hazards alone should have someone’s alarm bells ringing. This isn’t just a cosmetic quibble; it’s a respiratory roulette. Every gust kicks up a cloud of fine particles, perfect for a lungful of misery. Asthma sufferers, children, the elderly—none are spared the gritty gift of wheezing their way through the day. I half expect to see tumbleweeds rolling by, accompanied by a chorus of coughs. If the mills won’t sweep up for courtesy, perhaps the threat of a public health headache ought to stir them.

Chaos

Then there’s the chaos waiting to happen. Dust does not just tickle noses; it blinds drivers. Visibility on the MR3 can drop faster than a politician’s promises, turning a simple commute into a game of chance. Loose sand underfoot—or under tire—only ups the ante for skids and spills. It’s a recipe for accidents, and I’d rather not see Pigg’s Peak’s roadsides decorated with wrecks because someone couldn’t be bothered to wield a hose or a shovel.

So, here’s my plea: Action, please! The mills need to step up—literally sweep up—and keep this road from doubling as a sandbox.

Slumber

The Eswatini Environmental Authority must shake off its slumber, flex some regulatory muscle and order these companies to maintain what they’ve marred. A regular clean-up schedule wouldn’t hurt, nor would a stern word about corporate responsibility. As for us, the dust-dodging public, we deserve better than to navigate a health hazard and a hazard-strip all in one.

Let’s clear the air—and the road—before our town becomes known less for its mills and more for its dust storms. The Times of Eswatini has a voice; I hope it’ll lend it to this gritty cause.

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