…malaria, cholera, stench affect us – residents
An alarm has been raised by residents of Mushin in Lagos State over the conversion of the Idi-Araba canal to an illegal dump site, saying the situation puts them at risk of diseases.
It was observed that the canal was filled with waste.
Alhaji Idris Lawal who identified himself as the Seriki Hausawa of Idi- Araba community, told our correspondent that the filthy environment was responsible for malaria fever and other diseases among residents of the community.
Lawal said, “The major illness dealing with the residents of this area is malaria fever. We have a canal where all the refuse of Mushin and Oshodi are stored.
“The community pays for regular disposal of waste. We urge the Lagos State Waste Management Authority to help us dispose of our waste at least three times a week.”
A resident who lives close to the canal who identified himself as Obinna said the stench from the canal was unbearable.
“The canal is not a legal dumping site for LAWMA. People in the vicinity are uncomfortable with the stench from it but we cannot do anything about it. I wish positive steps can be taken about the canal,” he said.
Another resident, Abubakar Shehu, said, “I have lived in Mushin for over 40 years. The residents and those who are close to the environment are the ones dumping the waste.
“We keep stopping people from pouring waste there. Majority of the children living in the area are infected with malaria and cholera.”
A business owner, Musa Tijani, blamed market women for the situation.
He said, “70% of the market women in the community are responsible for the waste. The butchers in the area dispose of their animal remnants in the canal.
“They should put wire around the canal. There should also be local security to protect the canal to restrict people from pouring wastes.”
When contacted, the Director of Public Affairs, Lagos State Waste Management Authority, Folashade Kadiri, promised that the situation of the canal would be looked into properly.
Efforts to get the reaction of the Director of Public Affairs, Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Adekunle Adesina, proved abortive as his phone rang out and messages sent were not responded to as of the time of filing this report on Sunday.
