Residents in the Agege Local Government Area of Lagos State have lamented the conversion of the rail tracks in the area to an illegal dumpsite.
Our correspondent who visited the area on Tuesday observed how the rail tracks were clogged with solid garbage and how commuters covered their noses as they passed.
Some of the residents lamented the risk of residents in the area contracting diseases.
A resident simply identified as Toluwalope claimed that the residents were primarily to blame for the solid waste placed on the rail tracks while pleading with the Lagos State Government to assist the community with the Waste Management Authority officials in helping the neighbourhood become more conducive for living.
He said, “The dirt in this place is very unbearable and the odour that comes from it is just something else. The solid waste in this place is being caused by the people who live here and there is nothing the good residents of the area can do about it.
“One major thing we will love the government to do for us is that it should help us with LAWMA officials who will help us maintain the environment properly. The residents and passersby who use these rail tracks are actually at risk of contracting diseases.
Another resident, Gbolgbade Aremu, lamented that the odour from the accumulated waste and the growing number of hoodlums in the neighbourhood were becoming unbearable for residents.
Aremu added, “Apart from the issue of the rail tracks being dirty, the hoodlums that stay here are terrorising this community. They also contribute to the reason why there is plenty of waste here. There are a lot of cigarette sticks on these rail tracks and honestly, it is becoming unbearable.
“Some parts of Agege are known for hoodlums but the area is becoming more dirty and stinky every day. Some people will pass and just throw waste here. The rail track is just like a dumping site and the residents here are at risk of contracting diseases such as cholera, malaria, and even typhoid because some people drink water while passing. The government can help us by removing hoodlums on the rail tracks away and helping us clean the environment so it can be more conducive for people to live in.
When contacted the Public Relations Officer, Ministry of Environment, Kunle Adeshina advised residents of the community to have a change of attitude while noting that the appropriate department will be notified to clean up the accumulated solid waste in the community.
Kunle said “Lagos State Waste Management Authority always goes round to clean up. We keep emphasising that there should be a change of attitude by our people. The governor at some point came publicly to address the traders selling on the rail tracks.
“LAWMA is always going round but if they have not gotten there we will inform the necessary department to clean up. We will address the issue to the appropriate department.
It was earlier reported that Commuters in the Mangoro area, Agege Local Government Area of Lagos State are groaning over the conversion of the pedestrian bridge to an illegal dump site.Our correspondent who visited the pedestrian bridge on Thursday, reports that the bridge is filled with solid waste which is unpleasant for residents and commuters who use the bridge.
