By Bilesanmi Abayomi
Residents of the Olopomeji area in Oworonshoki, Kosofe Local Government Area, have raised concerns over a growing refuse crisis they fear could trigger a public health emergency if urgent action is not taken.
The residents are appealing to Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and the Lagos Waste Management Authority to immediately evacuate the heaps of waste that have accumulated across parts of the community.
Their appeal comes as the rainy season intensifies, increasing fears of flooding, environmental degradation, and outbreaks of waterborne diseases. The refuse heaps have reportedly become a source of offensive odours and breeding grounds for mosquitoes, causing distress among residents and raising concerns about the health implications for families in the area.
Speaking on the development, Brand and Image Strategist, Lanre Aborisade, stressed the need for urgent government intervention while also calling on residents to play their part in maintaining environmental hygiene.
According to him, government agencies and residents must work together to avert a looming environmental and health crisis. He urged community members to desist from indiscriminate waste disposal, properly package household waste, keep drainage channels free of debris, and report illegal dumping activities to the appropriate authorities.
The situation has also reignited discussions about the Lagos State Government’s reintroduction of the monthly environmental sanitation exercise. Community advocate, Omoba Awofeso Rasheed, commended the return of the initiative but questioned the state’s preparedness to manage the volume of waste generated during such exercises.
He noted that while environmental sanitation is necessary, the government must strengthen the entire waste management chain, from collection and evacuation to final disposal, to prevent sanitation efforts from inadvertently creating new environmental hazards.
Awofeso warned that failure to address waste management challenges adequately could increase the risk of disease outbreaks, particularly during the rainy season. He emphasized the need for robust preventive measures, stressing that prevention remains better than cure.
As the rainy season progresses, residents of Olopomeji say they are anxiously awaiting swift intervention from relevant authorities to prevent the refuse crisis from escalating into a major public health and environmental emergency.