We did not approve the site, LAWMA says

Residents of Apata, Pastor Ojediran, and adjoining streets in Iyana Ejigbo, in the Ejigbo Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Lagos State, are concerned about a possible outbreak of diseases, following the sudden sprout of a large-scale dumpsite in the built neighbourhood.

The illegal dump site that opened a few months ago has further exposed the neighbourhood’s security breaches, with the coming of strange faces who daily scavenge on the dump site.

While the residents only murmur over the development, they call on the Lagos State government to come to their aid.

The residents accused the community leaders of collecting money from illegal waste collectors to dump dirt at the site.

When The Guardian visited the area, some community leaders, numbering around 30, said they were comfortable with the site.

While at the site, The Guardian witnessed pushcarts coming into the dump site to offload refuse collected while scavengers pounced on the site to extract metals and pet bottles.

The estimated seven-acre land was said to have been excavated decades ago by community leaders, who dredged the sand in the area, leaving it as a gully.

According to a resident: “This refuse dumping in a residential community is unhealthy and odd. The stench is unbearable for both the residents, schools, religious centres and businesses in the area.”

“I don’t understand why a landfill will be situated where people are living. This started about a year ago. We need help.”

The Director of Public Affair, Lagos State Waste Management Authority, Mukaila Sanusi, denied knowledge of the dumpsite or its official approval.

“We don’t have a dump site in Ejigbo. We did not approve any dump site in Ejigbo. We will investigate this.”

However, a community leader and Abore of Ejigbo, Chief Monsuru Adisa Saula, said: “We must appreciate the Chairman of Ejigbo LCDA, Taoheed Adebayo Taiwo for being thoughtful. Ejigbo streets would have been filled with dirt if this was not created. The Chairman deploys trucks to collect refuse during the monthly environmental exercise. Alimosho, Mushin and others are battling dirt on their street. So, the chairman should be commended for allowing refuse to be dumped here.

“The community is pleased with this, and I can tell you that those complaining are also benefiting from the site being here because they dump their refuse here.”

On the offensive smell from the dumpsite and nearby households, he said: “We have booked an appointment with the Chairman to discuss treating the waste to prevent the smell.”