Environment
RESIDENTS of Odomola in Eredo Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Epe, Lagos State, on Saturday expressed delight over the return of the waste collection truck to evacuate refuse in the area.
Residents who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) called on the council to deploy more trucks for even waste collection across the area.
They noted that a single truck was insufficient to effectively serve the entire area, particularly communities such as Iraye-Oke, Imokun, Igboye, and other surrounding communities.
NAN reports that there were concerns over uncleared refuse in the area, especially on expressways and around business premises, which posed threats to traffic flow and public health respectively.
Mrs Aanu Olumikeye, a trader at Pobo Market, said the evacuation of refuse that had piled up in the market for weeks was a relief to the market community that had endured the stench.
Olumikeye, who sells vegetables, said seeing the LCDA waste truck in the market brought long-awaited relief after weeks of refuse buildup that threatened public health.
She commended the council’s executive for the prompt response, but said one truck was not enough to clear the refuse, and urged that more be deployed to cover the community.
Mrs Rukayat Omobola-Adeoti, a resident, noted that the heaps of waste had posed a public health challenge in the last one week, leading to traffic congestion on the Epe-Ijebu Expressway axis and offensive odour to motorists and residents.
She described the evacuation by the LCDA as commendable, but urged that it be sustained to prevent a recurrence.
In the same vein, Mrs Adebisi Lawal, a retired teacher residing in Pobo community, called on the council to provide waste bins to curb indiscriminate refuse disposal.
Mr Gabriel Ajila, a community leader, described the leadership of the council as one working to make the area a cleaner and better place for all.
Ajila urged residents to dispose of waste properly to avoid an environmental crisis that could pose a hazard to the community.
Speaking on the development, Mr Olakunle Lasisi, an Environmental Officer with the LCDA, said that the resumption of waste collection had brought an end to the escalating refuse challenge, as waste that had built up in residential and commercial premises was being evacuated.
According to the official, the monthly waste management levy collected from residents is strictly for the maintenance and operation of the waste collection service.
“Residents in upstairs apartments pay ₦2,000 monthly, those in bungalows pay ₦1,000, while shop owners pay ₦500 per month.
“The waste collection truck will operate on a weekly schedule, with Odomola receiving waste collection services once every week,” he said.(NAN)
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