Refuse Dumping Continues Along Agege Railway Despite Clean-Up Efforts

Illegal dumping of waste is still a problem along parts of the railway corridor in Agege, Lagos. This continues even though the Nigerian Railway Corporation has made several attempts to clean the area.

A visit by PUNCH Metro on Monday found piles of trash along the railway tracks. There were plastics, food scraps, and other household waste scattered everywhere.

Residents are worried about public health issues, environmental pollution, and the safety risks to railway operations.

Oyeniran Prince, a local government official near the railway corridor, told PUNCH Metro that indiscriminate dumping has been going on for almost two years. This has happened despite regular clean-ups by railway workers.

Prince explained that the NRC, not the Lagos State Waste Management Authority, should keep the railway corridor clean. He said, “This place has been like this for almost two years. It is not LAWMA’s responsibility because this is railway property. The railway workers usually clear the tracks and pack the refuse into bags, especially where it blocks the rail lines, but people keep returning to dump waste here.

“There is a large waste container nearby, but instead of using it, many residents dump refuse directly on the railway corridor. Sometimes, the waste is even burnt here. Once the railway workers clear the area, people come back and dump refuse again.

“The workers clean this place almost every morning, but the dumping continues. That is the major problem.”

Another resident, Joshua Osagie, noted that the situation is better than before. He said authorities are working harder to stop the illegal dumping.

“It has not been there for too long. They have been clearing the refuse regularly, especially the heap down there. They have warned people not to dump waste here again, and it has reduced. Before now, it was much worse than this.

“For some time, they monitored the area, and LAWMA officials also came. They no longer allow people to dump refuse here the way they used to,” he said.

Resident Adewale Akinyemi said that the people need to stop dumping waste along the railway corridor too.

“The refuse along the railway corridor is becoming too much. Apart from making the place look dirty, it is also a health risk because of the smell and the flies.

“Even when the railway workers clear it, people come back the next day to dump refuse again. Residents also need to stop this habit, while the authorities should enforce the law,” he said.

Commuter Grace Oladipo said things have improved around the Agege Pen Cinema area compared to before.

“The situation has improved compared to before because the heaps are no longer as much as they used to be. But the problem has not been completely solved.

“The government should continue monitoring the area and punish anyone caught dumping refuse on the railway tracks. That is the only way the place will remain clean,” she said.

Callistus Unyimadu, the spokesperson for the NRC, said the corporation regularly clears waste from the railway corridor. He blamed passersby for the ongoing dumping.

He said, “I don’t want to say anything official about this issue, but one thing I know is that anytime there is waste, we normally clear it. These things are actually being done by passersby who take the opportunity, especially at night, to dump refuse there.

“Each time, we make sure we clear it, but it keeps happening. I think the management is looking for a lasting solution, including involving security personnel to apprehend those responsible for dumping the refuse.