Illegal dumping persists on Agege railway corridor despite clean-up

Illegal dumping of refuse continues to plague sections of the railway corridor in Agege, Lagos, frustrating ongoing efforts by the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to maintain the area. A recent inspection revealed extensive heaps of refuse, including plastic waste and food remnants, littering the railway tracks, posing significant risks to public health and environmental quality.

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This place has been like this for almost two years. It is not LAWMA’s responsibility because this is railway property. The railway workers usually clear the tracks and pack the refuse into bags, especially where it blocks the rail lines, but people keep returning to dump waste here.

Local officials and residents have voiced concerns about the persistent problem, which has reportedly continued for nearly two years. Oyeniran Prince, a local government official, stated that the NRC is responsible for the corridor's upkeep, not the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA). He noted that despite regular clearance by railway workers, the dumping resumes almost immediately, sometimes even involving the burning of waste.

However, some residents perceive an improvement in the situation. Joshua Osagie mentioned that efforts to discourage dumping have intensified, with authorities monitoring the area more closely. He acknowledged that the situation was previously much worse and that the regular clearing and warnings have led to a reduction in dumping.

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It has not been there for too long. They have been clearing the refuse regularly, especially the heap down there. They have warned people not to dump waste here again, and it has reduced. Before now, it was much worse than this.

Another resident, Adewale Akinyemi, stressed the shared responsibility in addressing the issue. He called for residents to cease the dumping habit while urging authorities to enforce existing laws more rigorously. The persistent refuse not only creates an unsightly environment but also presents a health hazard due to odors and the proliferation of flies, impacting the well-being of the community.

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The refuse along the railway corridor is becoming too much. Apart from making the place look dirty, it is also a health risk because of the smell and the flies. Even when the railway workers clear it, people come back the next day to dump refuse again. Residents also need to stop this habit, while the authorities should enforce the law.