Despite significant advocacy efforts by the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) to educate residents on proper waste disposal and effective waste management for a cleaner and healthier environment, motor parks in Lagos remain devoid of essential waste collection facilities. This neglect compels commuters to resort to indiscriminate trash disposal, further exacerbating the city’s waste crisis.
In the bustling metropolis of Lagos, where daily survival overshadows other priorities, a glaring issue persists across major motor parks. From the sprawling Iyana-Iba to the busy Mile 2 and beyond, the absence of waste bins has turned these transit hubs into unsightly dumping grounds, reflecting systemic neglect.
These motor parks, which facilitate the movement of thousands daily, have become breeding grounds for filth and potential health hazards due to insufficient waste management infrastructure. While Lagos produces an estimated 5.46 million tonnes of waste annually, only about 40% is adequately collected and disposed of, leaving the remainder to litter streets and public spaces, including motor parks.
A Trail of Neglect Across Parks
Investigations reveal a troubling uniformity of neglect across parks such as Obalende, Oshodi, Iyana-Ipaja, Agege, and Ketu. In these areas, heaps of plastic bottles, food wrappers, and discarded items clutter the environment. The pungent stench of decaying refuse mingles with vehicle exhaust, creating a suffocating atmosphere for commuters and vendors alike.
LAWMA previously announced plans to increase waste bin deployment across public spaces, including motor parks, but years later, these promises remain largely unfulfilled. While residential waste collection has seen marginal improvements, public transit hubs continue to grapple with inadequate infrastructure.
Hawkers and Commuters: A Vicious Cycle
Food vendors and hawkers, unable to find proper disposal points, contribute to the growing piles of waste. Commuters, too, discard refuse indiscriminately, with gutters and sidewalks becoming makeshift trash bins. In some parks, such as Mile 2 and Festac, traders resort to burning trash in open fires, further polluting the air and endangering public health.
Scattered Efforts and Persistent Challenges
At certain locations like the Ojota motor park, proximity to a dumpsite enables relatively better waste management. However, in most parks, such as Iyana-Oba and Agege, the absence of waste bins forces unions, drivers, and vendors to improvise, often with limited success. Park officials blame commuters for irresponsible disposal habits, while commuters point fingers at the lack of proper facilities.
Health and Environmental Risks
Improper waste management in these parks poses significant health risks. According to the World Health Organization, inadequate waste disposal contributes to the spread of diseases such as cholera and typhoid fever, especially in urban areas with dense populations. Moreover, blocked drainage systems from accumulated waste increase the likelihood of flooding and other environmental disasters.
Call to Action
Environmental experts warn of dire consequences if the waste management crisis in Lagos motor parks is not urgently addressed. They advocate for a comprehensive policy overhaul to tackle the unique challenges of waste disposal in densely populated urban hubs. Immediate action, including the provision of waste bins and regular waste collection services, is imperative to avert a looming public health and environmental catastrophe.
The message is clear: without swift and decisive action, the neglect of waste management in Lagos motor parks risks transforming these vital transit points into perpetual hazards for millions who rely on them daily.