Residents Frustrated as Trash Piles Up for Six Months on Lagos Road

Residents and business owners along Idimu-Ejigbo Road in Lagos State are worried about a heap of trash that has been sitting there for six months. They say the rotting waste is causing bad smells and environmental problems.

The rubbish is found around the Dorcas and Silva Estate area. It has not been cleared even though waste management workers are around, and there was an earlier cleanup after a report by PUNCH Metro.

Our reporter saw on Monday that the waste covers about 150 meters of the road median. Different types of rubbish are piled up along the stretch.

Some of the trash has spilled onto the road. This ongoing problem is concerning for residents, drivers, walkers, and shopkeepers.

Fatai Adegbenro, a shop owner at Dorcas Bus Stop, said the situation is unbearable, especially when it is hot outside. He explained that the smell from the decaying waste gets worse.

He said, “This refuse has been here for about six months. It has become a serious problem for us because of the smell. Whenever you pass this place, especially in the afternoon, the odour is unbearable.

“Both LAWMA and PSP operators collect refuse from residents, so we do not understand why this heap has been left here for this long. The road is being defaced, and nobody appears to be taking responsibility for clearing it.”

Another resident, who only gave his name as Philip, called the situation embarrassing. He pointed out that many people use the road every day.

“This is a major road, and people use it every day. Imagine seeing this kind of heap of refuse on the median for months. It is embarrassing, and the smell is terrible,” he said.

This situation comes weeks after PUNCH Metro reported that residents had complained about trash heaps on road medians linking Ejigbo and Idimu for about four months.

After that report, some waste was cleared from parts of the road. But residents say the latest cleanup did not cover the whole area, leaving the trash around Dorcas and Silva Estate untouched.

A trader in the area, who asked to remain anonymous, said, “They only cleared the ones at Idimu Bus Stop towards OPC Junction and never came to this part of the road.

“So, it was assumed they cleared the whole refuse, but they never did.”

Another shop owner, Anjarat Adewale, mentioned that the situation is hurting businesses nearby, especially food vendors.

She said, “Customers are reluctant to stay around, let alone buy food. This is due to the offensive odour.

“The food vendor that was here before has gone elsewhere. She cannot continue to run at a loss because LAWMA failed to do their job.

“We are appealing to them to come and clear it and ensure that it does not return. The PSP operators should also do what they are being paid to do.”

Residents are asking the Lagos Waste Management Authority to quickly remove the trash and stop it from piling up again. They warned that keeping the waste there could create health and safety issues.

The residents also called for better monitoring of waste collection and cleanup activities along the road. They want to make sure that refuse cleared from one area does not remain in another.

The ongoing problem of trash heaps in parts of Lagos continues to upset residents. Waste often builds up on road medians, streets, and major highways despite efforts by the state government and LAWMA.

Attempts to get a response from LAWMA Managing Director, Muyiwa Gbadegesin, did not succeed on Monday. Calls and WhatsApp messages sent to him were not answered at the time of this report.