Vilvoorden residents plead for urgent action amid severe dust pollution from rice mill

– families cite health risks, forced to deal with black dust daily
– EPA says matter in court, instructs removal of large heaps of paddy husk

 By Raywattie Deonarine

Residents of Vilvoorden, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), are appealing for urgent intervention as they grapple with severe dust pollution allegedly caused by the Hack’s Rice Mill, which is registered as Vilvoorden Rice Investment Inc.
The constant piling of black, dusty residue after the rice milling process has made daily living unbearable for the residents in close proximity, especially during the dry season.

Thick layers of black dust to coat their homes, windows, and surroundings, and despite cleaning several times a day, the dust keeps reappearing.
The situation has reportedly worsened in recent weeks, with the dry conditions amplifying the spread of the residue. Families have expressed concern over potential respiratory issues and other health risks linked to prolonged exposure.
As such, the residents are calling on authorities to intervene and for the businessman responsible to relocate the dust heap to a safer, more suitable area away from homes.
The Guyana Times spoke with several residents who have all expressed deep frustration and anguish over what they describe as years of unbearable pollution caused by piles of paddy shells and burning residue from the rice mill.
Modiram Beepat, one of the affected residents, described the situation as devastating.
“This issue has touched the lives of everyone… This pollution caused by the rice factory in our community is harmful to our health, our homes, and the environment. For many years, we have lived peacefully in this area, surrounded by fresh air, clean water, and fertile soil. But since the owner piled up the paddy shale and then recently burnt it, our way of life has begun to change.”
Beepat explained that thick smoke and dust rise daily from the paddy husk, turning the once clean drains and waterways murky and foul-smelling.
He noted that the smell of burnt rice, husk, and chemicals has become a constant part of residents’ daily lives, causing health problems, particularly for children and the elderly, including coughs, asthma, eye irritation, and skin allergies.
He added that the pollution has also affected animals, with cows unable to graze properly due to the dust-covered grass, and some animals dying as a result. Beepat emphasised that while the community understands the economic importance of the rice factory, development should not come at the expense of human health or the environment.
He stressed that residents are not asking for the factory to be closed, but rather, they are demanding changes that would allow them to breathe clean air and drink safe water.
Beepat further called on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), and the Ministry of Health to conduct proper inspections and enforce environmental regulations.
He also urged the management of the factory to work collaboratively with residents to implement sustainable solutions, warning that silence would only worsen the problem.
He concluded that by uniting their voices, the community could make a positive difference not only for themselves but also for future generations.
Additionally, eighty-year-old resident Sahidan also shared her struggles living opposite the rice mill. She noted that she has lived in Vilvoorden for over 60 years and has never experienced dust pollution of this magnitude.
She described having to clean her home daily, as dust covers the floors, furniture, and even her bedding, making it difficult to maintain hygiene. She added that the water quality has deteriorated, and managing the cleaning on her own has become nearly impossible, forcing her to spend much of her small pension just to cope.
Sahidan also expressed her frustration and fear, emphasising that the community simply wants to live in peace without being constantly burdened by the dust.
“I have lived here for 60 years now, and when the mill was here before, we never had dust like this. Now it’s dust every day, every day. We have to clean every day. An old lady like me has to clean. The water isn’t good; the dust is everywhere on the floor, on the bed, on everything. I have to spend my little pension money just to keep cleaning. I alone can’t manage. How long will we live like this? We want to live in peace now,” she said.
Another resident, Abdool Shameer, related that the issue of dust pollution has been around for years, but recently it has become unbearable.  He noted that he has been highlighting the issue publicly, including on social media, to raise awareness about the plight of his community and neighbouring villages.
“This is not a new situation. It has been here for many years. If you check my Facebook page, you’ll see how long I’ve been highlighting this plight not only in Vilvoorden but also in nearby villages,” a frustrated Shameer stated.
He further expressed frustration that the authorities have not taken meaningful action. He observed that the mill operator showed no intention to resolve the issue and that the problem seems to be tolerated because many residents are elderly or widows who are unlikely to rebel. He warned that if such pollution occurred elsewhere, it would have provoked significant public outcry.
“It is clear there is no intention by the operator of this mill to fix anything. And it’s as if this is being allowed to happen. Many residents here are elderly or widows, and maybe that’s why this continues because no one is rebelling. If this were happening anywhere else, chaos would have broken loose. But here we are, suffering silently.”
He added that residents have tried every possible avenue to address the issue, including going public on social media, but no action has been taken. The continuous dust has caused health problems and stress, and residents have even been verbally abused by the mill operators.
“We’ve reached out to everyone. We’ve gone public on social media. Even though our posts went viral, nothing is happening. People are getting sick. Some residents have gone mentally ill from the stress and the constant cleaning. And on top of that, the owners verbally abuse us; they call our women names. How much more can we take?” Shameer questioned.
He warned that the community’s patience is running out while adding that the ministers had previously promised to address the situation by April 2024, but as 2025 draws to a close, the situation has worsened.
He insisted that if authorities fail to act, the residents will take matters into their own hands to protect their community. Long-time resident Daood Baksh, who has lived in the community for over 40 years, said he is now suffering from serious health complications due to the dust.
“Four years now this has been affecting us. Last Ramadan, I had to be rushed to Suddie Hospital emergency; the doctor said I have a lung problem because of the dust. Recently, one of my neighbours died from the same problem. My wife is seriously ill; she can’t sleep, she can’t breathe properly, and she’s mentally breaking down,” Baksh lamented.
He added that the situation has become unbearable and is calling on authorities for immediate intervention.
“We are begging the authorities; we are dying from this dust. I can’t work; I have to look after my wife, cook, wash, and care for animals, and our house is full of dust every day. They even charged a resident for throwing away some dust, but the owner who’s giving us this dust every day walks free. This is injustice. We need urgent action,” he stressed.
Another resident, Mohamed “Chabby” Mohamed, who operated a small food business, said he was forced to shut down due to contamination concerns.
“I own a small snackette, selling things like pholourie and egg balls, but I had to close three months ago. I can’t open because the dust would get into the food, and that’s dangerous for customers. I lost my daily income. Every day, I have to clean and wipe, but I can’t manage anymore.”
The residents of Vilvoorden say they are not opposing the rice industry but are calling for responsible practices that protect their health and environment. They want immediate relocation or proper disposal of the paddy husk piles and enforcement of environmental standards. As their voices grow louder, they hope their cries will finally be heard before their once-peaceful village is completely engulfed in dust and despair.
Meanwhile, the Head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Kemraj Parsaram, on Monday told sections of the media that the agency has been actively addressing the issue and that the matter is now before the court.
Among the immediate directives issued by the EPA is the removal of large heaps of paddy husk stored on the mill’s compound – one of which is reportedly on fire, causing thick plumes of smoke to affect nearby residents.