Ogun residents urge Abiodun to improve waste management in more areas
Residents of various communities in Ogun State have urged the state government to extend its waste management efforts to other parts of the state, particularly markets, major roads and pedestrian bridges where refuse has accumulated.
The residents, drawn from Obafemi Owode, Ifo and Ado-Odo/Ota local government areas, said indiscriminate dumping of refuse had become a growing concern in several communities, creating unsightly surroundings and posing risks to public health and safety.
Their call followed the recent intervention by the state government to clear the median between the OPIC Housing Estate and Kara Livestock Market along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway after Channels Television correspondent, Kayode Okikiolu, drew public attention to the deplorable condition of the road section.
A resident of Obafemi Owode LGA, Taiwo Segun, said the government’s response to the Kara area was commendable but urged it to extend similar attention to other locations where refuse had become a persistent problem. The resident said some markets, including the Mowe market, and adjoining roads in the local government required regular evacuation of waste to prevent the situation from worsening.
Similarly, Adesanya Sarah, a resident of Ifo LGA appealed to the government to pay particular attention to pedestrian bridges and busy market areas, where indiscriminate dumping had affected the appearance and usability of public spaces. The resident said stronger monitoring and regular waste evacuation would discourage people from turning such facilities into dumping grounds.
Similarly, a public servant from Ado-Odo/Ota LGA, who pleaded for anonymity, said the government should adopt a statewide approach to waste management rather than concentrating interventions on locations that attract public attention. The resident urged relevant agencies to intensify enforcement against indiscriminate dumping while ensuring that waste disposal facilities are readily available to residents and traders.
The residents also called for closer collaboration between local governments, market associations, community leaders and waste management agencies to ensure regular evacuation of refuse. They said sustained public education and enforcement were necessary to change attitudes toward waste disposal and keep communities clean.
They commended the government for responding to the concerns raised over the Kara axis but urged it to use the intervention as an opportunity to conduct a wider assessment of waste management challenges across Ogun. They said addressing refuse disposal at markets, pedestrian bridges and other public spaces would improve environmental sanitation, protect public health and enhance the state’s overall appearance.
