Residents of Oja Agbe, also known as Farmers’ Market, in Ifo Local Council of Ogun State, have raised concerns over the health and environmental hazards posed by a 35-year old dumpsite in the area.

Speaking during a protest, the residents, alongside members of the Make Ogun Great Again (MOGA) Movement, warned that the situation could trigger a cholera outbreak if urgent steps are not taken. They noted that the dumpsite has expanded into surrounding roads, causing environmental degradation and exposing residents and traders to health risks.

They appealed to the Ogun State Government to urgently evacuate the refuse and provide a lasting solution to the waste challenge in the area.

Calling for an urgent intervention to safeguard public health and restore environmental sanity in the area, the residents warned that the situation could worsen during the rainy season, with wastes spreading into surrounding areas and drainage channels, thereby increasing the risk of environmental pollution and disease outbreaks.

The convener of MOGA Movement, Kayode Olawoye, said the community had endured years of neglect in spite of repeated complaints to relevant authorities. Olawoye said the growing refuse heap had become a public health concern, particularly because of its proximity to a market where food items are sold.

According to him, “that dumpsite has been there for over 35 years. Over time, the population around the area increased, but successive governments failed to address the problem. Now, the dumpsite has taken over parts of the road, and there are concerns about disease outbreaks, especially cholera.”

He explained that the group had engaged officials of the Ogun State Ministry of Environment, who assured that the refuse would be evacuated.

Olawoye further claimed that the commissioner for environment informed the group that an assessment of the site had been conducted, adding that evacuation could begin after financial arrangements are concluded.

On his part, the Chairman of Ifo Local Council Area, Idris Kushimo, acknowledged the poor state of the dumpsite, saying that efforts had been ongoing to address the problem, in spite of logistical and financial constraints.

Kushimo disclosed that the council had also engaged previous administrations, with one of the major challenges being identifying a suitable relocation point for the waste. He added that an alternative site earlier discovered was rejected by the traditional leader of a neighbouring community.

Kushimo maintained that clearing the dumpsite was beyond the sole jurisdiction of the council, stressing that his role had largely been advocacy and pushing residents’ concerns to relevant authorities, particularly the Ministry of Environment. Nevertheless, he said consultations were still ongoing over the financial implications and communal considerations involved in relocating the dumpsite.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, said the government has commenced efforts to address the challenge, noting that engagements were ongoing with the affected community to find a lasting solution.
Photo: Dump site. Caption: