Traders and passers-by have raised concerns over the indiscriminate dumping of refuse along the Ile-Epo area of the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway.
Our correspondent who visited the area on Tuesday observed that refuse was dumped on some parts of the highway.
It was also observed that some traders in the area and some street sweepers were responsible for the dumping of refuse while some of the refuse was evacuated from the drainage on the highway.
A driver, Rasak Wasiu, told PUNCH Metro that, “You can see that this side of the road is damaged because water usually floods this road whenever there is heavy rain and the drainage has been blocked by refuse.

“If the refuse continues to pile up, water will begin to settle on it which can damage the road. When the road is damaged, it is we motorists that will suffer it because it will cause traffic congestion.”
Another motorist, Adewale Adeniyi, noted that apart from the damage the refuse can cause to the road; it also poses a health threat to the people.
Adeniyi said, “Let us even forget the damage it can cause the road, if the refuse continues to pile up, it is a potential threat to the health of motorists and commuters. The refuse will begin to smell and such odour is not good for road users.”
A trader, Jemilat Owoeye, appealed to the Lagos State Waste Management Authority to provide a suitable waste bin where refuse can be dumped to stop those dumping refuse on the road.
“There is no waste bin around here which I think is why people are dumping refuse on the road. If the government can provide waste bins somewhere around here, people will stop dumping refuse on the road,” she said.
The Director of Public Affairs, Lagos Waste Management Authority, Sade Kadiri, advised that members of the public should not dispose of refuse in public areas while warning that perpetrators would be punished.
She said, “We have a robust waste collection and disposal system in place across the state. This particular spot mentioned is an isolated one. Our public spaces are not designated for refuse dumping. Residents are encouraged to have waste bins at home for proper containerisation of their wastes and easy evacuation by the PSP operator.
“The idea of bringing and dumping at unauthorised locations including under the bridge is not acceptable. Anyone caught doing this would be made to face the full wrath of the law. Ignorance is not an excuse in law.”