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By Chukwuma Umeorah
Residents of Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State on Wednesday stormed the Ifo Local Government Secretariat to protest the continued existence of a massive dumpsite located within a market, saying the decades-old refuse heap has become a threat to public health, businesses and the environment.
The protesters, comprising traders, landlords, community leaders and residents, marched from the affected market to the council secretariat, chanting solidarity songs and demanding the immediate evacuation of the dumpsite along Sholu-Kajola Road. They said the dumpsite had also worsened the condition of the only road linking the expressway to more than 80 communities and villages. They also demanded the rehabilitation of damaged roads and other interventions to improve living and business conditions in the area.
They argued that the dumpsite, which they said has existed for over 35 years, has expanded over time and now encroaches on roads within the market, raising concerns about air quality, food safety and the possibility of disease outbreaks.
Speaking during the protest, the Convener of the Make Ogun State Great Again (MOGA) Movement, Olawoye Kayode, who led the protest, said successive administrations had failed to address the problem despite repeated complaints by residents.
“The dumpsite has taken over the road, so there is already a health hazard and road damage. And we have seen that a cholera outbreak is imminent. We have seen signs because it is directly at the market where they sell food and perishables.”
Kayode said the protest became necessary because previous appeals to government authorities had produced little result.
“Over the years, they would come, look at it, and disappear,” he said.
The protesters also expressed dissatisfaction with the response of the Chairman of Ifo Local Government, Idris Olalekan Kusimo, who received them at the secretariat. Both traders and transporters within the area complained that despite the deplorable condition of the area, they were taxed daily to carry out their activities.
According to Kayode, residents were disappointed that the chairman did not provide a definite timeline for the commencement of evacuation work.
“We are very much disappointed. If we had not met the Honourable Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, we would have assumed that the chairman is speaking for the state. We have met the Commissioner, who has assured us that the place will be cleared.”
He said the state Commissioner for Environment had informed residents that an assessment of the site had already been carried out and that the situation was being treated as an emergency.
“We are going to bank on what the Commissioner for Environment told us. He has given us his word that in 12 days, the thing will be taken away, and that he will be here even today to inspect the place.”
However, no date was given as to when the evacuation would begin.
Kayode maintained that government should focus on finding solutions to the waste problem rather than explaining the obstacles involved.
“We are talking about government here. Government simply means a body that is responsible for the needs of the people. If any government cannot provide what people need, those in that government should resign,” he said.
Responding to the protesters, the LG Chairman, Kusimo, acknowledged the concerns raised by residents and said efforts had been ongoing to find a lasting solution.
“As the Executive Chairman of Ifo, I am not happy to see that place like that,” he said.
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He explained that previous attempts to clear the dumpsite had stalled because authorities were unable to secure an alternative location for the waste.
“At a point, we wanted to start work there, but we then encountered a problem: where are we going to relocate the dirt to?” he said.
The chairman noted that disposing of the refuse in a nearby canal would create environmental problems and obstruct waterways.
“We could not dump it inside the canal as it would block the waterway and create a new problem while trying to solve the existing one.”
According to him, another proposed location was rejected by a neighbouring community, while the cost of relocating the waste remains substantial.
“It is not entirely within my power to clear the dumpsite. I can only advocate and push the request of my people to the designated authority, including the Ministry of Environment,” he said.
Kusimo added that assessments by the council’s environmental team indicated that the volume of waste accumulated over decades would require more than two months to clear.
“That dumpsite has been there for over 30 years. Clearing will take over 2 months. My environment team has done their assessment.”
He further disclosed that he had written to Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun on the issue and expressed confidence that the state government would intervene. He, however, failed to detail the progress of previous engagements with stakeholders.
Despite the assurances, many of the protesters remained unconvinced, arguing that similar promises had been made in the past without tangible results.
The Chairman of the Emilajulo Okepata Community Development Committee, Esther Adelakan, said residents had repeatedly written petitions and complaints to relevant authorities over the years.
“This is not the first time of writing letters, giving complaints, writing complaint letters and everything,” she said.
“The Ministry of Environment has come to that farmers’ market several times to promise and to tell us to put our minds at rest that they are going to do it. But at this very moment, they failed to do it.”
She said years of unfulfilled promises had left many residents frustrated but appealed to government authorities to act before the situation worsens.
“We are still appealing anyway that they can still change their mind, because this community is ready to do anything lawful to ensure that something is done.”
When contacted by Daily Sun, the Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, confirmed that the dumpsite would be cleared, although no specific timeline was given as to when the evacuation would commence.
“I need to make sure that I protect the lives of the people in that area. That is my social contract, and that will be done, but I don’t need to tell you how I would do my work. However, it is going to be an open exercise, and the people will see when it is done. We’ll clean up that place and restore sanity. We also assure the people that there will be no re-emergence of such in the area.”
