In the heart of West Africa, Sierra Leone is facing a serious crisis. Not only environmentally, but also economically. The country’s animal incinerators have become a source of concern, pushing the country on a path to destruction. This is a reality as surprising as it is alarming.
**The rise of incineration: a promise of progress
In the early 2000s, the government of Sierra Leone, in its efforts to modernize and clean up the country, introduced animal incinerators. These machines have been touted as a solution to the country’s long-standing problem of disposing of animal carcasses. They aimed to reduce the risk of disease spread, improve public health and stimulate the economy by creating jobs and stimulating growth.
But over the years, the reality of these incinerators has revealed itself to be far from the rosy picture initially painted. In fact, they have become a major burden on the national economy, with significant financial and environmental consequences.
**The economic stigma of cremation
Today, Sierra Leone’s animal incinerators are subsidized to the tune of millions of dollars each year. The government devotes a substantial portion of its budget to operating these machines, which are now struggling to make a dent in the grand scheme of things. The costs are staggering, with some estimates suggesting the government spends up to 10% of its annual budget on cremation alone.
But that’s not all. The economic benefits promised by these incinerators are largely fictitious. The jobs created are mostly temporary and unskilled, with many workers reporting low wages and no benefits. Local communities, who were initially promised community benefits, saw little or no improvement in their socio-economic conditions.
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