Residents of Albert Okolo Street, Canal View Estate, Oke-afa, Isolo, Lagos, have complained over the stench from refuse dumps in front of an uncompleted building in the area.
Residents of the community dump refuse in front of an uncompleted building at No.17 Albert Okolo Street claimed that officials of Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) hardly picked up their refuse.
Mrs Lydia Paul, a member of the Church of Christ, lamented the horrible time she had when she handled the children’s section of the church.
“The odour that comes out from that dumpsite makes us as mothers fear for our children.
“That heavy rain that fell some days ago soaked the dumpsite and after the sun heated it up, it started emitting a stench.
“During the early hours of the day, particularly on sunny days, we are usually starved of clean, fresh air to breathe. That is why we fear for the lives of our children and our own lives too,” Paul said.
Mrs Obot Ntuen, a resident of the area, spoke in the same vein.
“Residents have tried without success to bring government’s attention to the health hazard this uncompleted building is posing and the need for the owners to develop it.
“There are days that even motorists could not drive through the street because the gabage overflows the road and even beyond the fence of the church beside it,” Ntuen said.
Mr Clement Orji, another resident, lamented the foot-dragging by LAWMA to evacuate refuse from the street.
“We have reported this to LAWMA, but they have turned deaf ears to our predicament. We are even tired of the whole issue.
“My fear is the health hazard this menace will cause to the innocent school children on this street,” Orji said.
Speaking on the development, the Director, Public Affairs, LAWMA, Mrs Folashade Kadiri, said that issue raised would be investigated.
Kadiri, however, emphasised that there was not enough reason for residents to dump refuse indiscriminately.
“We have always made it clear that there are other avenues to explore, which include calling LAWMA toll-free lines for backup service.
“And dumping in any unauthorised place(s) which also includes but not limited to uncompleted buildings is not acceptable.
“Residents should take responsibility for their actions, treat the environment right, because what you give it is what you get,” she said.
She noted that those who evaded Private Sector Partnership (PSP) payment, who didn’t have covered bins were those perpetrating the act of indiscriminate dumping of refuse.
“However, if they are caught, the environmental laws will take its course. This, however, will be investigated,” Kadiri said.
By Fabian Ekeruche
