Unveiling the Squalor: Terminal Terrestre’s Crisis in Manta

In the bustling city of Manta, a critical issue has emerged that highlights systemic negligence and demands immediate attention. The Terminal Terrestre, once a beacon of connectivity for the region, now stands as a symbol of profound insalubrity and operational failure. This article delves into the dire conditions at the terminal’s public restrooms—spaces meant to offer solace and convenience to travelers have instead become sources of distress and indignation.

As of October 2025, the terminal’s sanitation facilities are in utter disarray. Users report a disturbing lack of water, toilets clogged with excrement, overflowing waste bins, and an omnipresent foul odor that permeates every corner. The situation has reached a boiling point for citizens like Valeri Moreira, who returned to Manta after months away only to find the bathrooms unfit for use: “It’s simply unacceptable,” she exclaimed. With water barely trickling from taps insufficient for basic hygiene needs, the predicament is clear—passengers are forced into unsanitary conditions without recourse.

The outcry has not been limited to passengers alone. Esperanza de los Ángeles, a resident of Santo Domingo traveling to Guayaquil, confronted an employee in frustration, highlighting the broader implications of this neglect: “The bathrooms are our city’s introduction. How can we expect tourists and travelers to view us with respect when these facilities are so poorly maintained?” Her words underscore not only a local embarrassment but also a potential threat to Manta’s reputation as a welcoming destination.

At the heart of this debacle lies a deeper institutional crisis. Since July 2025, following investigations into criminal infiltration linked to drug trafficking activities within the terminal’s management structures, the Policía Nacional has taken control of the Empresa Pública Municipal de Movilidad (EMM). This intervention was prompted by revelations surrounding José Adolfo Macías Villamar, a notorious figure in narcotics. Despite this oversight, fundamental maintenance issues persist unabated—a glaring testament to the inadequacies of current management.

This ongoing neglect reflects not only on Manta’s image but also raises serious health and safety concerns for daily commuters and seasonal travelers alike. The terminal’s dysfunction is emblematic of broader challenges facing public infrastructure in Ecuador—a country striving for progress yet grappling with legacy issues of corruption and mismanagement.

The story of the Terminal Terrestre’s sanitary crisis is a clarion call for accountability and reform. It highlights the urgent need for transparent governance, robust management, and dedicated resources to restore dignity and functionality to this critical transit hub. As Manta continues to serve as a vital artery in Ecuador’s transport network, resolving these issues swiftly is paramount—not just for the city’s residents but also for its future as an inviting gateway into the heart of South America.

For more on this story and other local news from Manta and beyond, visit El Diario where journalists continue to shine a light on the issues that matter most to citizens.

Original article source: El Diario