By Akinwale Kasali
Lagos State, dubbed, Nigeria’s commercial and economic hub and one of the continent’s fastest-growing cities, is no doubt facing increasing environmental pollution challenges ranging from vehicle emissions, generator fumes, industrial discharge, and indiscriminate waste dumping.
This has characterized the once dubbed nation’s neatest cities to one of the dirtiest- less than two decades down the line.
Residents across several communities have raised alarm over worsening air quality, particularly from refuse dumpsites that continue to pose serious health and environmental risks to Lagosians.
Dirts and wastes litters every nooks and crannies of the State, as it stares at us at every part of the State, with no respite in sight.
Along major routes such as Oshodi–Apapa, Alimosho, the most populous area in the State, Mile 2–Badagry, Ikeja, the State is not left out of this indiscriminate dumping of refuse, which has become a common sight, creating environmental hazards and unpleasant odours that affect commuters and traders.
Several Markets in the State are now prone to dirts abd wastes littering everywhere, as other densely populated areas has gradually unbearable for residents, following waste accumulation contributing significantly to public health concerns.
In Igando, Alimosho Local Government Area, residents have expressed deep frustration over the presence of multiple dumpsites, particularly Solus 3 and Bola dumpsites, which are located close to residential communities and public infrastructure.
The stench that oozes from the sites worsens during rainfall, when contaminated water and waste are washed onto surrounding roads, making movement difficult and increasing flood risks in nearby areas such as Odubanjo.
Temitope Ogunsola, a Proprietor, said repeated appeals to the Lagos State Government through the Ministry of Environment and the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) had yet to produce lasting solutions.
He noted that although the government had previously promised intervention and fumigation, the condition remains largely unchanged, leaving residents exposed to continuous environmental hazards.
Residents also lamented the economic and social impact of the dumpsites, saying many tenants have abandoned properties in the area, while landlords struggle to attract new occupants due to the persistent odour.
Health concerns have also been raised over possible outbreaks of diseases such as cholera, as residents fear contamination of borehole water sources and increased mosquito breeding in the area.
Some residents, however, say they have become accustomed to the environment, noting that their sense of smell has been affected over time due to prolonged exposure.
Several calls has however been made to the state government to urgently relocate or properly manage the dumpsites to prevent further environmental degradation and protect public health.
Addressing this issues, Muyiwa Gbadegesin, Managing Director of LAWMA, has however assured residents that current waste collection challenges across the state will ease within six to eight months.
Gbadegesin gave the assurance during the monthly environmental sanitation exercise in Badagry on Saturday.
Gbadegesin dismissed claims that local governments were taking over LAWMA’s waste management responsibilities through independent collection initiatives.
“That is not true. The local governments are partners. They are assisting the Lagos Waste Management Authority in various ways,” he said.
He said councils were acquiring two compactor trucks each, while the Lagos State Government was procuring additional trucks.
According to him, the additional equipment will strengthen waste collection and improve service delivery across the state.
He attributed collection delays to Lagos’ growing population and increasing waste generation.
He said the state was expanding waste management infrastructure to address the challenge.
“Lagos State Government has begun the process of building new disposal facilities,” he said.
He disclosed that work was ongoing at Olusosun, while transfer loading stations and material recovery facilities were under construction.
He said Badagry would also host a major material recovery facility for recycling and resource recovery.
“It is not a dump site. It is a material recovery facility that will allow us to treat waste safely and extract valuable components for revenue generation,” he said.
He however blamed recent operational disruptions on flooding around the Olusosun dumpsite.
He said heavy rainfall had made the access road difficult for refuse trucks.
“That will become a thing of the past by Tuesday when we reopen another section for trucks to dump waste,” he said.
Explaining further, he said only 30 to 40 per cent of Private Sector Participant (PSP) operators were affected.
“Many of them are going to satellite sites in Epe, Ikorodu and Badagry. Maybe about 30 to 40 per cent have challenges,” he said.
Expressing confidence that residents would notice improvements before the end of the week, Gbadegesin however urged residents to store refuse properly and pay PSP operators promptly to support efficient waste management.
“Waste management is a collective exercise. We must all be involved,” he said.
He advised residents against dumping refuse on roadsides during collection delays.
He charged residents to swiftly report service lapses through LAWMA’s customer service channels for prompt intervention.
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