Health
Refuse heaps linger in Oshodi despite Sanwo-Olu’s evacuation order
Enoch Oluwaleke and Moyinoluwa Oluyemi
Despite Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s directive ordering the immediate scale-up of waste evacuation across Lagos, heaps of refuse still littered parts of Oshodi on Tuesday, leaving residents, traders and commuters complaining of persistent stench and warning of looming health risks.
A visit by PUNCH Metro to the Oshodi Bus Terminal corridor opposite the market showed large heaps of decomposing waste stretching along the roadside, with refuse spilling onto sections of the carriageway and pedestrian walkway.
The putrid odour hung heavily in the air as traders attended to customers, commuters navigated the area, and scavengers rummaged through the garbage despite concerns over its environmental and health implications.
A trader, Tope, alleged that the refuse had remained at the location for about four months despite traders paying waste disposal charges.
“There is nothing we can do. It is the government’s responsibility. They have not come here for about four months. They came on Sunday to collect payment for May and June, and I paid because I didn’t want them to say I had not paid. They only cleared one heap after Oja Oke Market reopened. Please help us beg the government. My children no longer come to the shop because of the smell,” she said.
Another trader, Bola, who lives on Baderin Street in Oshodi, accused the Lagos Waste Management Authority of neglecting the area while continuing to issue waste bills.
“We have not seen LAWMA officials. They brought another bill even though they have not packed the refuse after the last payment. Look around; the smell is unbearable. We are just enduring it because there is nothing we can do,” she said.
A resident, Shina Oluwadamilare, described the lingering refuse as a growing public health concern.
“They have not come to evacuate the refuse at all. It is affecting everyone, both children and adults. The situation in Oshodi is not okay,” he said.
Another resident, who identified himself simply as Sunday, however, said LAWMA usually evacuated the waste regularly and suggested the current delay might be linked to ongoing repairs at the Ojota waste collection point.
“Normally, they come to pack the refuse, but I noticed they are repairing the place where they keep the waste bins at Ojota. Maybe that is why they have delayed. This heap is just weeks of accumulated refuse because all the markets dump their waste here, expecting the government to evacuate it,” he said.
Reacting, the Managing Director of the Lagos Waste Management Authority, Olumuyiwa Gbadegesin, said the agency had deployed personnel to clear the refuse around the Oshodi Bus Terminal and the adjoining market.
“LAWMA has deployed teams to evacuate the refuse around the Oshodi Bus Terminal and adjoining market area.
“Beyond the immediate clearance, we are engaging residents, traders and market leaders on proper waste storage, sorting and the use of assigned PSP operators. We will also intensify monitoring to prevent a recurrence.
“Where there is persistent non-compliance, LAWMA will apply the appropriate enforcement measures, including the sealing of affected premises, in line with existing environmental regulations.
“The clearance operation will take place tonight,” Gbadegesin said.
Gbadegesin added that LAWMA’s operational teams had also sustained waste evacuation activities along Ago Palace Way in Isolo Local Council Development Area as part of the agency’s ongoing drive to maintain a clean and healthy environment across Lagos.
“Across major roads, inner streets and communities, our teams are on the ground daily, clearing refuse, restoring environmental sanitation and ensuring the prompt evacuation of waste to prevent environmental nuisance,” he said.
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