Residents of Ago Palace Way in Lagos have called on the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) to urgently address mounting heaps of refuse in the area, warning that the worsening sanitation situation poses serious environmental and public health risks.
Overflowing waste bin at Funsho Kinoshi Street and Waste dumped along Ago Place Way over the weekend. PHOTO: GLORY SUNDAY
The residents of Ago Palace Way in Okota, Lagos have expressed frustration over what they described as persistent irregular waste collection in the area, despite paying about N48,000 every two months for refuse evacuation under the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) system.
The residents said delayed waste evacuation by Private Sector Participant (PSP) operators has left parts of the community littered with overflowing refuse, exposing them to foul odours, disease risks and worsening environmental conditions.
A visit by The Guardian to Ago Roundabout, Avenue Junction and Funsho Kinoshi Street showed
mounting refuse at designated collection points.
In several locations, waste had spilled beyond collection areas onto adjoining spaces, while the stench of decomposing refuse filled the air.
Residents and motorists were forced to navigate around heaps of waste as they went about their daily activities.
According to residents, households diligently bag and store their refuse in waste bins outside their homes while awaiting collection.
However, when PSP operators fail to keep to evacuation schedules, the bins become overloaded, forcing waste onto the streets.
They also admitted that the prolonged delays have encouraged indiscriminate dumping by some residents.
