Where Lagos Is Farther Away From God …LAWMA On The Dock

BY BENIAH MYRA-PEACE MIRACLE, ADERAYO OLUSANYA & OKOMAYIN CHRISTIANA

They occupy our streets, highways, roads, bus stops, every nook, and cranny. They threaten pedestrians like armed robbers with loaded guns asking an unarmed man to choose between his money or life.

The only difference is they leave pedestrians with only one option which is to walk on the road and not on the sidelines or walkway or pedestrian lane.

They not only occupy our roads, but choke  our breathe.

In fact, they air they ooze out is one contaminated, and, except we cover our noses, are forced to inhale it.

If as they say, cleanliness is next to godliness, they have assured that Lagos remained far from God.

Regardless of availability and accessibility of waste disposal options provided by the Lagos State Waste Management Authority, LAWMA, there is no let yet, for almost at every corner, there is Indiscriminate dumping of refuse.

Indiscriminate waster disposal appears like a war that the state would win on the short run.

 It affects the quality of urban life, endangers the health of citizens and the environment.

Almost every resident who spoke to The Eagle on the matter expressed disdain; why then is a lifestyle in some places to dump waste?

Miss Omayajowo Aderonke, a resident of Ogba for example, expressed her displeasure with the issue of indiscriminate dumping of refuse in Lagos.

“A few years ago while I was in my hometown, I had so much expectation about Lagos. I must say I was very disappointed when I got here. There is no fresh air here and dirt’s are everywhere,” she said.

Her observation was that passengers, after eating snacks discard the wrappings, pet bottles, cans, sachets, and so on through the window..

Majaagun Oyinkansola, a resident of Agric Ikorodu, expressed no less disdain for dumping of refuse carelessly.

“Many see dumping of refuse anywhere and anyhow as a norm, especially market women and shop-owners who are fond of piling up dirt and dumping it anywhere with the expectation that LAWMA, or somebody somewhere would dispose it properly.

“ Many people no longer bear it in mind that they are littering the environment when they dump refuse because offenders get away with it.”

She also faulted  the lack of waste bins on the roads and in streets with labels cans, paper, and so on like it is abroad have made Lagos very dirty, but much more affected the people’s wellbeing.

Mr Ogbonaya Jude, a resident of Akiode, Ojodu part of Lagos, listed Akiode as a worse offender,  in the sense that one could not walk two minutes straight without encountering a refuge dump.

LAWMA ON THE DOCK?

Do we blame the government for not putting its big foot on the matter of indiscriminate dumping of refuse? Do we blame the sweepers for not keeping the roads neat and tidy? Or do we blame Lagosians for not keeping the environment clean?

The government may have put laws in place but it appears prosecution of offenders is short in coming. Some have suggested that street soldiers may be necessary if this abuse could be stemmed.

A young businesswoman from Uyo, Mavid Otuekong explained to The Eagle the presence of alert men, not necessarily in uniform but who ensure arrest of anyone dumping refuse indiscriminately.

She added that they could slam an offender with a one-week or month-long compulsory clean up of .

According to her, the Lagos state government needs to take a firm stand against indiscriminate dumping of refuse as it has made Lagos a dirty and smelling state.

Security cameras would make it easier for authorities to catch culprits but would the Lagos state government place camera on major roads and streets?

A working-class citizen and resident of Shagari in Ogba Mr. Samuel Iruobe, when asked the reason for the rise of illegal dumping in his area blamed LAWMA.

“I am the only one living in my compound since my landlady died. LAWMA keeps bringing ridiculous bills to me. I am not even able to give them my waste because they only come to collect refuse on Thursday and by the time they come in the morning I am already at work. They don’t come on Saturdays or any other day of the week, ” he said.

He added that if LAWMA could reduce the bill and come and collect refuse for proper disposal on Saturday, his area would not be so dirty and filthy.

A Post-graduate student of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism who resides at Obawole – Ogba, Mr. Bolawa Pelumi stated that  Lagosians need to be sensitised about the dangers of illegal dumping of waste.

 “it is quite alarming. And I believe over time, the government’s strong hands to stop it are not working, rather the people need an overhauling orientation, right from telling the people the danger of this illegal dumping of refuse and how it can lead to disease, ocean rise (when we dump refuse in the sea), blockage of the waterway, etc. Also, enlighten the people in the know of recycling, especially plastic for better utility.”

The matron of Mercy clinic Ibafo, speaking on the matter, described as very deadly and risk to health, dirt around the environment. It could cause sickness such as malaria, typhoid, air related illnesses and other sicknesses, she said, urging citizens to strive to keep their environments clean especially the drainag

Mrs Rukayat Ibrahim who resides at Araromi Area, Akiode, close to Berger, Lagos, said that the  residents of her area had been complaining to LAWMA but that such complaints had fallen on deaf ears.

“We have complained about this dumping ground for so many years but the government has done nothing to it. We are suffering from it, my children get sick every month and I spend a huge amount of money treating them. The people of Araromi don’t even make things easier because we also have our roles to play in this but many keep dumping dirt there every time. We hope the government comes to our aid soon “She said.

READ ALSO: Ministries, Agencies Use Consultants, BOT, PPP To Steal Money – EFCC Boss

Dr Obinna Agwu of Sophine Hospital, Oshodi Lagos. Stressed the point that people should dispose of their wastes properly.

He advised that rather than burning wastes, as many have resorted to doing, that they shoudl strive to hand over to LAWMA.

According to him, in burning the refuse,  they release Carbon Monoxide into the air which affects the health of many and also affects the Ozone layer.

“Carbon monoxide can deplete the Ozone layer. The Ozone reduces ultraviolet rays (UV rays) from the sun. It helps us not to get direct contact from the sun. When carbon monoxide keeps going to the sky, it reduces the covering of the ozone layer, this can lead to infection and it can go as bad as us contacting cancer from this”

“Staying in dirty environment can also breed mosquitoes which can give us malaria. If you are staying close to a dirty area, you will notice that these mosquitoes breeding in these areas usually cause malaria and aside that, it reduces the humility of the system.

READ ALSO: Bitcoin Exchange Operators Disappear With Customers’ $3.6bn

“When the humility of humans are compromised, other things follow e.g respiratory disorder, and  the person can get typhoid, all due  to one living in a dirty environment. Overtime, one tends to get sick as a result of breathing and living in a dirty environment”.