Education
Disease outbreak fears as refuse overruns Lagos, FCT communities – EnviroNews
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Two communities in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja and Lagos State are facing health risks as a result of indiscriminate waste dumping and a questionable waste evacuation mechanism.
For instance, residents of Dutse Baupma in Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have expressed fears of a possible disease outbreak over persistent roadside waste dumping.
The residents voiced their concerns in separate interviews during a visit to the community.
Located along the busy Dutse-Bwari highway, Dutse Baupma is dotted with heaps of refuse, with residents blaming the situation on absence of a functional waste management system.
Mr. Ibrahim Haruna, a vulcaniser, said the community had struggled with indiscriminate roadside dumping for years because residents had no designated waste disposal site.
“Every day, people come here in their vehicles to dump refuse from their homes.
“It should not be so because this is a major road in the heart of the town. People only dump waste here because they have no alternative,” he said.
Haruna acknowledged that officials of the area council periodically evacuated the refuse but argued that the measure was inadequate.
According to him, government should establish a properly designated dumpsite away from residential and commercial areas, in line with standard environmental practices.
“Officials come occasionally to evacuate the waste, but this location is too close to where people live and work.
“Proper dumpsites should be located far from residential and commercial areas, as obtainable elsewhere,” he said.
Another resident, Mr. Abraham Shekwolo, described the situation as a serious public health risk, warning that continued indiscriminate dumping could trigger disease outbreaks.
He called on the government to provide adequate waste disposal infrastructure to safeguard the health of residents.
Other residents also urged the authorities to intervene urgently to prevent the situation from worsening.
The community leader, Mr. John Kuyambana, recalled that government previously distributed plastic waste bags to households and collected them when full but discontinued the programme a long time ago.
He appealed for the reintroduction of the initiative, saying it would significantly reduce indiscriminate refuse disposal in the community.
Kuyambana also appealed to the government to construct access roads and a pedestrian bridge at Tiber Junction, citing the frequent accidents recorded at the location.
“We appeal to the government to construct a pedestrian bridge at Tiber Junction.
“On average, we record no fewer than three accidents there every week because vehicles often lose their brakes and run into pedestrians trying to cross the road.
“A pedestrian bridge will greatly reduce these accidents and save lives.
“We also appeal for access roads in the community to ease movement and support residents’ economic activities,” he said.
Similarly, residents and traders at Oyingbo Market in Yaba Local Council Development Area (LCDA) have raised concerns over a massive heap of refuse that has taken over a section of the road.
In separate interviews on Saturday, July 18, 2026, they complained that the heap of refuse was obstructing traffic, disrupting commercial activities and posing serious public health risks.
The residents and traders said that the refuse dump had continued to increase, in spite of repeated assurances by the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), the local council and the Ministry of the Environment to evacuate it.
NAN correspondent, who visited the area observed that the heap of decomposing waste occupied a substantial portion of the road, leaving only a narrow path for vehicles and pedestrians.
The refuse made up of decaying food items, plastics, nylon, cartons and other household waste, emitted strong offensive odour, as flies and rodents surround the site.
Mrs. Kemi Adebayo, a food vendor, described the condition as unbearable.
Adebayo said that the situation had discouraged customers from patronising them, resulting in declining sales and financial losses.
“The smell is terrible. Flies settle on our food in spite of our efforts to keep the place clean. Customers now avoid this area because of the stench,” she said.
The trader said that the place had become a source of hardship for commuters, motorists and business owners.
Another trader, Mr. Ahmed Salami, who deals in fruits and vegetables, said that the refuse had become a daily challenge.
“We pay levies and taxes, yet we have to trade beside a mountain of refuse. Many customers no longer stop here because they cannot endure the smell,” Salami said.
Mr. Kunle Ajayi, a commercial bus driver, said that the refuse heap had worsened traffic congestion in the area.
“The road has become too narrow because of the waste. Vehicles now spend longer hours in traffic, especially during peak periods,” Ajayi said.
Some residents also expressed fears over the health implications of the refuse dump.
Mrs. Funke Bello, who lives close to the area, said that residents were worried about the increasing presence of flies, mosquitoes and rodents.
“We are concerned about diseases such as cholera, typhoid, diarrhoea and malaria. Children and elderly people are the most vulnerable,” Bello said.
Another resident, Mr. Sunday Eze, urged the relevant authorities to immediately evacuate the refuse before the situation deteriorate further.
Mrs. Tosin Ajasa, an environmental health expert, warn that accumulated refuse could contaminate the environment, pollute drainage channels, encourage flooding during heavy rainfall and provide breeding grounds for disease-carrying insects and rodents.
Ajasa also said that prolonged exposure to decomposing waste could contribute to respiratory irritation, foul odours and increased risk of infectious diseases, if not properly managed.
Residents appealed to the Lagos State Government, LAWMA, the Yaba LCDA and the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources to urgently clear the refuse and intensify waste evacuation mechanism in the area.
They also called for stricter enforcement against indiscriminate dumping of waste and increased public awareness on proper waste disposal to prevent a reoccurrence.
By Amen Gajira and Oluwaseun Nubi