Residents of Gbagada Phase II Estate have accused the Lagos State Waste Management Authority of neglecting the waste in the area despite several calls and requests.
Gbagada is a community between Kosofe and Somolu local government areas of Lagos State.
The residents lamented that the waste agency and the contractor in charge of the area, were putting their lives at risk.
The residents alleged that LAWMA and the waste company, identified as Kent and Kelly Nigeria Limited, turned a deaf ear to their pleas despite increasing the waste collection fees recently.
Our correspondent observed an army of flies in the area as a result of the accumulated waste.
Decomposing waste was also seen in front of a restaurant on Ora-Ekpen Street, and two religious centres in the area.
A mini-mart owner on Church Street, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said, “We used to pay N8,000 every two months, but they increased it recently. We went to complain that the new fee was high, but they said they would reduce it and that we should pay it for the first time. So, we later paid N11,000.
“They have not been here for over a month now and we have complained several times. They promised to come, but they did not come. Sometimes, they say there is no diesel or their truck is not working.”
A resident, Alimat Quadri, lamented the health risk the waste piles posed to her family while pointing to a huge waste pile in front of her house.
She said, “You can see the sight of the waste. They have not come for over a month now. Even the gutters are now filled with waste. I am afraid for my life and that of my child.”
A fashion shop owner on Church Street, Toke Busayo, said waste management in the area was pathetic.
“I hardly eat here because of the flies. I have to go back home or move away from this area to eat before I come back,” she added.
The fashion designer added that the piles of waste near her shop had affected her sales as customers became irritated whenever they came to her shop.
Busayo said complaints made to the authorities had yielded no results.