Lotto community calls on government to clear growing waste piles

Residents and traders in Lotto community, located in the Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State, are unhappy about the growing piles of refuse in their area.

They also complained about the absence of waste trucks to regularly clear the rubbish.

A visit to the community by PUNCH Metro on Monday revealed that the waste has become a serious issue for residents and traders. Some passersby even use the area as a toilet.

Residents told our reporters that the refuse has been at this location for about two years. They said it is hurting businesses and creating health and environmental problems.

A trader named Mrs Okoro expressed her frustration. She said efforts by waste management officials to solve the issue have not worked.

She said, “The officials used to come and pack it, but they later stopped. They now only burn it. People keep dumping more waste, even when the officials warn them to stop.

“The refuse dumpster has been like this for two years. It smells during the rainy season. The government should provide a place where people can dump their waste so that the officials can properly dispose of it.”

Another trader, who chose to remain anonymous, shared that the refuse has affected her business since she moved there in August last year.

She said, “I came here last August, and I met the heap of refuse. It is affecting my business because whenever people want to buy something and they see the refuse, it chases them away.

“Although the officials usually burn it, people continue to dump waste there and use the area to ease themselves. We are begging the government to provide a solution and completely clear the refuse.”

A resident named Peter also called on the government to send waste trucks to clear the rubbish. He said the situation is a health risk.

He said, “It is unhealthy for people to stay where there is refuse. It will benefit everyone if the government provides a truck to evacuate the waste.”

A commercial motorcyclist named Ayobami described the situation as unhealthy. He noted that residents also play a part in the ongoing waste problem.

He said, “The site of the refuse is unhealthy. We, the community members, are also not helping by dumping refuse there.”

Another resident, who preferred to be called Chinedu, said the refuse has polluted the air and made sanitation worse in the community.

He said, “The refuse is affecting the community. The air is polluted because of it. People usually urinate on it because there is no regulation and nobody to caution them. It has been reported, but no alternative has been provided.”

On Monday, Ogun State Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, said the government aims to work with the community development association to find a lasting solution.

Oresanya stated, “When we have a community like that, we need to work with their community development association so that we know how to deploy resources to meet their needs.

“We will definitely call their CDA for a meeting, and we will decide together on how to get the best for them. The community will be clean.”