Residents of Okeme Street in the Bariga area of Lagos are raising alarm over growing heaps of refuse allegedly caused by the failure of some landlords to remit waste disposal payments to Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) operators.
The overflowing waste, now littering parts of the street, has become a major environmental and health concern for residents, especially after recent rainfall intensified the stench from the decomposing refuse. Residents fear the situation could expose children and other vulnerable persons to serious health hazards and possible disease outbreaks if urgent action is not taken.
According to residents, the refuse problem worsened after the landlord of Number 8, Okeme Street allegedly collected waste disposal fees from tenants but failed to remit the money to the official LAWMA Private Sector Participation (PSP) operators responsible for evacuating refuse in the area. The alleged non-payment reportedly led to the suspension of waste evacuation services, leaving the street filled with rotting garbage.
Some residents further alleged that one of such landlords, Mr. Lateef Lasisi, had for years been cutting corners by allegedly bribing some LAWMA supervisors instead of making proper payments through official channels. They are now calling on the Lagos State Government and LAWMA authorities to investigate the matter thoroughly by demanding evidence and receipts of waste disposal payments made over at least the last two years.
Residents also claimed that similar practices are common among some landlords in the area, including at Number 1 Okeme Street, where landlords allegedly underpay PSP operators or resort to unofficial arrangements with sanitation workers rather than complying with approved waste management procedures.
Mr. Lasisi reportedly defended the practice, insisting that tipping workers directly was preferable, but several tenants disagreed, maintaining that they prefer legitimate and transparent payment systems that ensure regular refuse evacuation and proper environmental sanitation.
The growing refuse dump has now become an eyesore to passersby and a potential public health emergency, particularly for children living within the densely populated community. Concerned residents are urging authorities to sanction defaulting landlords and enforce stricter compliance with waste management regulations to prevent a possible environmental and health crisis in the area.
Bariga Residents Raise Health Concerns Over Mounting Refuse, Accuse Landlords of Evading LAWMA Payments
