Some residents of Surulere, Lagos State, on Saturday expressed concern over weeks-old refuse heaps that remained uncollected, saying the situation undermined the objectives of the state’s monthly environmental sanitation.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), although many residents swept their surroundings and cleared drainages during the exercise, heaps of refuse were still seen at designated collection points across the area.
The residents said the lingering waste had become a public health concern, particularly with the ongoing rains, which had worsened flooding and produced offensive odour.
Areas monitored by NAN included Masha, Lawanson, Kilo and Ogunlana, where residents participated in the sanitation exercise by cleaning their surroundings.
NAN reports that commercial activities were low as residents complied with the movement restriction imposed by the Lagos State Government between 6:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m.
Mrs Bose Akinyemi, a resident of Masha, told NAN that some refuse dumps had remained unattended for weeks in spite of repeated complaints.
“We have done our part by cleaning our surroundings, but the refuse is still here. Once the rain falls, the waste spreads into the gutters, blocks drainage channels and makes the environment unhealthy,” she said.
Also speaking, Mr Adewale Baruwa of Lawanson said stagnant water around refuse heaps had led to an increase in mosquitoes invading homes.
“The mosquitoes are everywhere now because of the rains and the refuse. It is becoming difficult to keep them out of our houses. We are worried about the health implications, especially for children,” he said.
Mrs Funke Sulaimon, a resident of Kilo, said many households had resorted to paying cart pushers to evacuate their waste because PSP trucks were no longer coming regularly.
“People cannot continue to keep refuse at home for weeks. Many residents now pay cart pushers to take the waste away because we have no choice,” she said.
Mr Waidi Kareem, a resident of Ogunlana, urged the Lagos State Government and the Lagos Waste Management Authority to improve the frequency of waste evacuation.
According to him, regular refuse collection will complement the objectives of the sanitation exercise and help prevent flooding and disease outbreaks during the rainy season.
NAN observed officials of the Kick Against Indiscipline monitoring compliance with the movement restriction, while residents cleaned roads, drains and open spaces.
The Lagos State Government recently reintroduced the monthly environmental sanitation to improve environmental hygiene and restore the sanitation culture across the state.
(NAN)
