Residents of Ikorodu on Tuesday called for urgent intervention to address poor sanitation and offensive odours at Ikorodu garage and the adjoining Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) terminal.

The residents, who spoke in separate interviews, described the transport hub as one of the busiest in Lagos.

They said the persistent accumulation of refuse at the facility posed environmental and public health concerns, requiring immediate attention from relevant authorities.

They urged the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Ikorodu Local Government, transport unions and traders to collaborate on improving waste management and maintaining a cleaner environment.

A resident, Happiness Oghogho, attributed the situation to weak enforcement of environmental sanitation laws across the area.

Ms Oghogho called for stronger environmental enforcement, saying residents should be discouraged from indiscriminately dumping refuse and that offenders should be sanctioned.

Another resident, Olami Olasmile, called for the establishment of a community environmental task force to complement the efforts of government agencies.

According to him, deploying officials to monitor the area and discourage indiscriminate dumping of refuse would help restore cleanliness at the garage.

Another resident, Kudirat Shobowale, said the unpleasant odour around parts of the garage had become a daily experience for commuters, especially in the early hours.

She urged the authorities to provide additional waste bins and public toilets and ensure prompt evacuation of refuse to approved dumpsites.

Also speaking, Azeez Bello said the monthly environmental sanitation held on the last Saturday of every month was insufficient to address the sanitation challenge.

He said the few hours set aside for the exercise were inadequate, considering the volume of commercial activities at the transport hub.

Mr Bello also called for stricter enforcement of the Thursday market sanitation in the area.

He alleged that refuse collected during the exercise was often dumped around the roundabout, roadside and behind the BRT terminal instead of being evacuated.

He called for prompt evacuation of refuse to approved dumpsites.

A commercial bus driver, Sodiq Lawal, said indiscriminate refuse dumping by traders, commuters and motorists contributed significantly to the poor sanitary condition.

Mr Lawal appealed for sustained public enlightenment campaigns and stricter enforcement of environmental laws to promote proper waste disposal practices.

He also called for improved collaboration among government agencies, transport operators, traders and members of the public.

He expressed optimism that consistent waste evacuation, adequate sanitation facilities and effective enforcement of environmental regulations would restore cleanliness to the transport hub.

 (NAN)