Lagos residents lament waste piles despite 418,500 tonnes cleared

Residents in several areas of Lagos State are expressing frustration over persistent piles of refuse, describing the situation as an eyesore. This outcry comes shortly after the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) reported that its operators had cleared approximately 418,500 tonnes of waste across the state in May.

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As refuse decomposes, it emits gases such as methane and ammonia, which pollute the air, contribute to global warming, and create unpleasant and unhealthy living conditions.

Industrial chemist Harrison Chinaka highlighted the severe public health and environmental dangers posed by improper waste disposal. He explained that decomposing refuse releases harmful gases like methane and ammonia, contributing to air pollution and global warming. Burning waste further exacerbates the problem by releasing toxic smoke, leading to respiratory issues.

Chinaka also pointed out that rainwater can wash toxic substances from waste into soil and water sources, contaminating them and harming both human and aquatic life. Plastics and batteries can leach heavy metals, persisting in the environment for years. Furthermore, waste heaps become breeding grounds for disease vectors like mosquitoes, flies, and rodents.

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The gutters are now filled with black water, nylon bags and bottles everywhere; open spaces have somehow become dumpsites without anyone agreeing to see it.

"Blocked drainage channels also raise the risk of flooding," Chinaka warned, urging LAWMA to improve its operations, particularly during the rainy season, and to implement hefty penalties for offenders. Health consultant Joy Oriaku lamented that roads have become dumping sites, with gutters filled with refuse and open spaces serving as unofficial dumps. She noted that residents often accept the foul smell and unsanitary conditions as a part of daily life, despite paying for waste collection services.

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I hereby urge the LAWMA to enhance their operations, especially within this rainy season, as drainages could be seriously clogged if the waste is not removed in time. Also, there should be hefty penalties for offenders who dump these wastes indiscriminately.