Open defecation, indiscriminate plastic waste disposal persist at Obalende underbridge.

“LAWMA used to clean it but people used to mess it up all the time. Our people will pour things inside, don’t be surprised that at night a lot of people even sleep around the carnal.”

Also speaking with PUNCH HealthWise, an environmentalist, Michael Simire said, “The government should decide on what they want to do with that area. That place is not good. It is not even good for aesthetics.

“The government should clear the place, possibly make the place beautiful, or just do something there that would discourage all these funny developments that spring up now and then”

In 2020, the Lagos State government sacked illegal occupants of the Obalende underbridge but that action appears to be cosmetic as all sacked businesses are back and operating.

Simire noted that the area is very unsightly, adding that the menace of open defecation which empties into the lagoon can cause pollution to marine life.

Simire, who is the CEO of MS and Associates, said the government must decide on what it wants to do with the area adding that if they clear it and leave the spaces open people will still come back.

“I think what they should do is that when they clear that space, decide on what they want to do with that place, put something there, make use of the space.

“The government should ensure that the place is monitored if not some of these thugs will mess up the place with their poor hygiene and sanitation practices.

“There should also be a monitoring team of all these things so that whatever they do, whatever action they take, it doesn’t relapse.

Open defecation, indiscriminate plastic waste disposal persist at Obalende underbridge

“LAWMA used to clean it but people used to mess it up all the time. Our people will pour things inside, don’t be surprised that at night a lot of people even sleep around the carnal.”

Also speaking with PUNCH HealthWise, an environmentalist, Michael Simire said, “The government should decide on what they want to do with that area. That place is not good. It is not even good for aesthetics.

“The government should clear the place, possibly make the place beautiful, or just do something there that would discourage all these funny developments that spring up now and then”

In 2020, the Lagos State government sacked illegal occupants of the Obalende underbridge but that action appears to be cosmetic as all sacked businesses are back and operating.

Simire noted that the area is very unsightly, adding that the menace of open defecation which empties into the lagoon can cause pollution to marine life.

Simire, who is the CEO of MS and Associates, said the government must decide on what it wants to do with the area adding that if they clear it and leave the spaces open people will still come back.

“I think what they should do is that when they clear that space, decide on what they want to do with that place, put something there, make use of the space.

“The government should ensure that the place is monitored if not some of these thugs will mess up the place with their poor hygiene and sanitation practices.

“There should also be a monitoring team of all these things so that whatever they do, whatever action they take, it doesn’t relapse.

Government’s response

As of the time of submitting the report, the effort of our correspondent to speak with the director of Public Affairs, Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Kunle Adeshina has not yielded results.

Even though he promised to respond to our correspondent’s text, he has not responded.

Source: Punch