By Cynthia Johnson
Lagos Waste Management Authority,
LAWMA has advised members of the public not to dispose of refuse in public areas, warning that perpetrators will be punished.
This was made known through the LAWMA Director of Public Affairs, Sade Kadiri, who said that the government has a robust waste collection and disposal system in place across the state.
Kadiri made this known following concerns raised by passers-by and traders in the Ile-Epo area of the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway over the indiscriminate dumping of refuse along the highway.
She said that public spaces are not designated for refuse dumping and that residents are encouraged to have waste bins at home for proper containerization of their wastes and easy evacuation by the PSP operator.
“We have a robust waste collection and disposal system in place across the state. This particular spot mentioned is an isolated one. Our public spaces are not designated for refuse dumping. Residents are encouraged to have waste bins at home for proper containerisation of their wastes and easy evacuation by the PSP operator.
“The idea of bringing and dumping at unauthorised locations including under the bridge is not acceptable. Anyone caught doing this would be made to face the full wrath of the law. Ignorance is not an excuse in law,” Kadiri said.
As gathered by Quest Times, residents said that the refuse is dumped by traders in the area, street sweepers, and even some motorists and as such, the refuse is blocking the drainage system, causing flooding, which is damaging the road and posing a health hazard.
Speaking with a motorist, Adewale Adeniyi, it was noted that the refuse also poses a health threat to motorists and commuters. He said that the refuse begins to smell, which is not good for road users.
“Let us even forget the damage it can cause the road, if the refuse continues to pile up, it is a potential threat to the health of motorists and commuters. The refuse will begin to smell and such odour is not good for road users.”
Another motorist, Rasak Wasiu, told newsmen that the refuse is causing water to flood the road whenever there is heavy rain, which is damaging the road and causing traffic congestion.
“You can see that this side of the road is damaged because water usually floods this road whenever there is heavy rain and the drainage has been blocked by refuse.
“If the refuse continues to pile up, water will begin to settle on it which can damage the road. When the road is damaged, it is we motorists that will suffer it because it will cause traffic congestion.”
Appealing to the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), a trader, Jemilat Owoeye, said that a suitable waste bin where refuse can be dumped to stop people from dumping refuse on the road should be provided.
“There is no waste bin around here which I think is why people are dumping refuse on the road. If the government can provide waste bins somewhere around here, people will stop dumping refuse on the road,” Owoeye said.