Residents and road users in the Soka area of Oluyole Local Government Area, Ibadan, have expressed deep concern over the persistent indiscriminate dumping of refuse beneath the Soka Under-Bridge along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
The residents, in separate interviews with the journalists on Thursday, described the situation as a growing environmental and public health hazard.
They urged the Oyo State Government and relevant environmental authorities to urgently intervene, warning that the continued accumulation of waste poses serious health risks and undermines the aesthetic value of one of the major entry points into Ibadan.
A visit to the location revealed heaps of decomposing waste littering the under-bridge, with offensive odours permeating the surrounding environment.
The refuse dump, which has continued to expand despite previous efforts by landlords’ associations in the area to discourage the practice, has become a source of concern for motorists, traders, and residents living within the vicinity.
A resident, Mr Kamal Aderemi, lamented that the indiscriminate disposal of refuse has not only defaced the environment but is also gradually obstructing nearby drainage channels.
He further warned that the unsanitary condition could encourage the breeding of disease-carrying insects and rodents, thereby increasing the risk of outbreaks of communicable diseases.
Aderemi urged the government to intensify public enlightenment on proper waste disposal, provide accessible waste collection points, and ensure strict enforcement of environmental sanitation laws to deter offenders.
Another resident, Mrs Fisayo Mustafa, said the foul smell from the refuse dump has become unbearable, affecting the daily lives of people living and doing business around the area.
An executive of the Soka Landlords’ Association who preferred to remain anonymous said that the association had repeatedly cautioned individuals against dumping refuse at the under-bridge and had explored various community-based measures to address the problem.
He, however, noted that the efforts had yielded little success, with the refuse still increasing by the day.
He noted that the challenge had gone beyond what the community could handle alone, stressing the need for immediate government intervention through the regular evacuation of the waste and the installation of warning signs.
Also, Mr Mathew Ayotunde, a trader in the community, urged the government to deploy environmental enforcement officers to ensure the prosecution of those found violating sanitation regulations.
The association also appealed to residents and road users to embrace responsible waste disposal practices, stressing that maintaining a clean environment is a shared responsibility.
Residents expressed optimism that prompt intervention by the Oyo State Government would restore cleanliness to the area, improve public health, and prevent further environmental degradation at the busy Soka Under-Bridge and its environs.