Illegal occupation of sidewalks has become a daily feature of the ‘City of the Sun.’ A new wooden construction in front of the former ‘Cinematropic’ cinema in Tsimenatse, which circulated widely on social media, has pushed the patience of Toliara residents to the limit. An unauthorized construction attempt, located in front of the Regional Directorate of Public Works and right on a turning point, faced massive public outcry and was ultimately demolished.
In many neighborhoods such as Ambohitsabo, Antaninarenina, Andaboly, and Andakoro, wastewater spills onto public walkways, which have also become dumping grounds and public toilets. This phenomenon is caused by the lack of sanitary infrastructure and toilets in many homes.
Trash piles up in the streets, notably in Tanambao in front of the cemetery, directly on the roadway at the ‘Be’ bazaar, in Besakoa near the primary school (EPP), at the Mahavatse fish market, and in front of the Jirama office in Ankilifaly. The interior of the Scama market in Betania is considered the worst.
‘I have no words to describe the filth, the dirty water, and the disorder inside this market. The lack of organization leads merchants to dump their waste everywhere,’ says a mother living in Amborongony, not far from the Scama market.
‘Restoring order and cleanliness is not just the responsibility of the Toliara Urban Commune. Using the beaches of Mahavatse as public toilets, for example, is a matter of mentality that needs to be reorganized and reformatted. Unfortunately, no political entity has managed to change these behaviors so far,’ notes a fifty-year-old resident who has lived in Toliara for fifteen years.
Captured & Published at: 2026-07-07 06:43:13 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/07/ville-de-toliara-lanarchie-et-la-salete.html