Unhealthy refuse disposal in Ibadan

Ibadan, the largest city in West Africa (by implication, the largest city in Nigeria) is noted to have a very reproachable refuse disposal system. Ibadan contains a heterogeneous population, with a large number of people engaging in trading activities. The predominance of trade and commerce, especially of perishable goods, has to a large extent contributed […]

Ibadan, the largest city in West Africa (by implication, the largest city in Nigeria) is noted to have a very reproachable refuse disposal system. Ibadan contains a heterogeneous population, with a large number of people engaging in trading activities. The predominance of trade and commerce, especially of perishable goods, has to a large extent contributed towards improper dirt disposal in Ibadan, as dirt is wrongly disposed of in open spaces close to the trader’s stall. Markets in Bodija, Dugbe, Aleshinloye, Ogunpa, Ojoo among others make efforts to have a central dumpsite for refuse, but traders, for reasons best known to them, create minor dump sites around. Another issue, however, is that the major dumping site does not have an incinerator, which is the ideal for proper refuse disposal. The refuse is usually and oftentimes burnt in the open, polluting the air and environment.

In Ibadan, the central place noted for bad disposal of refuse is Iwo road. Iwo road lies at the heart of Ibadan. Most people coming into Ibadan get to Iwo road before proceeding to their destinations. That location is central to Ibadan and it gives visitors coming to Ibadan a bad perception. A dirty State will not easily attract investors, which is bad for development.

Apart from this, the unhealthy waste refusal has negative health effects, such as cancer and congenital malformation. The Oyo State Waste Management Agency (OYOWMA) created by former Governor Ajimobi to collect waste around the State is not proving to be effective. The government needs to start the aggressive enforcement of the enacted laws and arresting and prosecution of offenders should follow. The government needs to re-evaluate its effort towards waste management so as to find a lasting solution to the waste problem in Ibadan.

Raheemah Arogundade, Ibadan