The Ogun State capital, Abeokuta, is wearing horrible, filthy looks as many major roads have been overtaken by refuse.
Residents now dump their wastes by the roadsides along the major routes such as Panseke, Kuto, Abiola Way, Ijaye, Adigbe and others.
Residents say refuse collection trucks are now hardly seen to evacuate the mounting dumps.
Near markets like Lafenwa, Olomoore, Kuto, the sights of the refuse dumps are more noticeable as buy and selling generate ample wastes especially with farm produce that are brought to the markets.
NPO Reports correspondent who went around the city centre observed that the medians are littered with bags of overflowing wastes many of them oozing out putrefying odour having spent days without evacuation.
A trader at Lafenwa market, Mrs. Juliana Adebisi, said it is unfortunate the trucks that collect the wastes have disappeared.
“That is why you now see those mountains of refuse on the roads,” she said.
A medical doctor, Salawu Adepoju, said the attendant health hazards should make the Governor, Dapo Abiodun to hasten the process of the evacuation of the dumps.
“Government must not forget the health implications of this. Our health system is weak and when you allow things like to compound our situation, you could have a more worrisome problem on your hands,” he said.
- One of the ugly scenes in Abeokuta
It was learnt that the suspension of the Commissioner for Environment, Abiodun Abudu-Balogun, over allegation of sexual abuse of a minor has been responsible for the near collapse of activities in the Ministry.
“But that should not be an excuse,” retorted Executive Director of Essence Health Concerns, a pro-health advocacy group with office in Abeokuta, Dr. Molana Adeshipe.
She said government cannot because of a problem by one commissioner abdicate its responsibilities.
“We are talking about the health of the populace. They have a special adviser, Ola Oresanya. They should act fast.” She said