Residents of Ogun State have raised concerns over the possibility of a cholera outbreak following heaps of waste scattered along major roads and around markets in Abeokuta, the state capital, and other parts of the state.

They expressed worry about the environmental pollution and health risks posed by the accumulated refuse.

Passers-by, traders, motorists and transport union members said the growing piles of waste in parts of the capital could trigger disease outbreaks if not addressed quickly. They urged Governor Dapo Abiodun to direct the Ogun State Waste Management Authority (OGWAMA) to intensify waste evacuation across the state.

The Managing Director of OGWAMA, Farouk Akintunde, said the agency had begun a “special operation” to clear indiscriminate waste dumps in strategic areas of Abeokuta.

He added that the agency had also reinstated its night operation, which was suspended months ago, to tackle the waste crisis and restore cleanliness across the state.

Akintunde urged residents not to dump refuse on roadsides or medians but to hand it over to waste collectors assigned to their areas or properly package it in front of their homes for collection.

“All the machinery of the authority has now been deployed to different parts of the state, and the operation is ongoing simultaneously, especially in major towns such as Abeokuta, Sango-Ota, Ijebu-Ode and Ifo. The ‘night operation,’ which had been suspended several months ago, has also resumed in full,” he said.

However, checks by The Guardian showed that despite the ongoing operation, heaps of refuse remained in several areas, including Kuto, Panseke, Sokori, Ori-Omi, Ifo, Sango-Ota and Ijebu-Ode. Residents blamed the situation partly on the failure of some Private Sector Participants (PSPs) responsible for waste collection to carry out their duties.

A passer-by, Ojo Fawenu, expressed concern over a large heap of refuse near Polaris Bank on Lalubu Road, Oke-Ilewo, Abeokuta, saying bank customers and other pedestrians often cover their noses while passing through the area.

“The state government should direct the agency responsible to evacuate the waste as soon as possible. It can lead to diseases like cholera and it is very unpleasant,” he said.

A resident of Oke-Ilewo, Emmanuel Udoh, urged OGWAMA to ensure that private waste contractors perform their duties diligently to prevent a possible cholera outbreak.

“When the rains start, the waste will be washed into other areas and it can cause disease outbreaks. The authorities in charge should act quickly,” he said.

A trader, Tunrayo Adegboyega, also called on the state government to set up a task force to prevent indiscriminate dumping of refuse, faeces and dead animals near her stall opposite Access Bank on Osoba Road.

“They should come and evacuate the waste. People sometimes dump faeces and dead animals there, which worsens the odour. Sometimes it takes the PSP three days before they come to clear it.

“The smell affects my business because customers find it difficult to come close to buy things. The government should stop people from dumping refuse here,” she said.

A member of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) at Panseke Garage, Sodiq Alowonle, urged the government to establish a task force to monitor and arrest people who dump refuse indiscriminately on road medians and roadsides.

“We want the state government to set up a task force to arrest people who dump refuse indiscriminately during the day.

“There should also be an arrangement for residents to dispose of waste at night while the agency evacuates it early in the morning.

“Sometimes passengers find it difficult to come to Panseke Garage to board vehicles because of the smell. The government should address it,” he said.

At Kuto Market, a large refuse heap had spilled into nearby drainage channels and spread towards parts of the market, with traders and motorists complaining about the persistent stench.

A vegetable trader who identified herself as Iyabo said the odour from the waste often drives customers away.

“We come here every morning to sell our goods, but the smell from the waste is terrible. Sometimes customers complain before buying anything. It is not healthy for anyone,” she said.

Drivers and transport operators also complained that refuse sometimes spreads onto the road, forcing pedestrians to avoid stepping on it and occasionally causing traffic congestion.

Residents appealed to the state government to urgently address the situation to prevent a possible cholera outbreak, noting that many schoolchildren pass through the affected areas daily. They urged the authorities to prioritise public health and environmental sanitation across the state. (The Guardian)