By Ajewole Joshua|ABNews| December 24, 2025
Residents of Igando Road in the Ikotun axis of Lagos State have raised serious concerns over the worsening state of the road, describing it as abandoned and gradually turning into a full-scale refuse dump due to prolonged neglect and failure of waste evacuation services.
A visit to the stretch of road from Old Garage to Igando reveals a disturbing sight, as heaps of refuse line both sides of the road, giving the entire corridor the appearance of a dump site rather than a major access route. Household waste, nylon bags, food remnants, plastics and other forms of refuse are openly dumped without control, with no visible intervention from the Private Sector Participants (PSP) responsible for waste collection in the area.
Residents lamented that the situation has persisted for weeks, if not months, with refuse piling up daily. The drainage channels and waterways on both sides of the road have also been heavily affected, now blocked with all manner of waste, making it almost impossible for water to flow freely. This, they fear, could lead to flooding, especially during rainfall.
Speaking with ABNews, one resident who requested anonymity said the community had been patient, expecting the PSP operators to evacuate the waste, but their absence has only worsened the situation.
“We were expecting the PSP to come and pack the refuse, but they never showed up. Every day, people generate waste and they have nowhere else to dump it. That is why the refuse keeps increasing,” the resident said.
Another resident expressed worry that the situation could spiral out of control during the Christmas season, when waste generation is expected to increase significantly due to festivities and an influx of visitors.
“This Christmas period will be worse. There will be more people coming in, more waste will be generated, and if nothing is done, the road may be completely occupied by refuse,” the resident warned.
Beyond the environmental concerns, residents also complained that the filthy condition of the road poses health risks, attracts rodents and insects, and gives the community a negative image. Some road users noted that the stench from decomposing waste has become unbearable, especially during the day.
Residents are now appealing to the appropriate authorities, including the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) and the relevant local government officials, to urgently intervene by evacuating the accumulated refuse, restoring regular waste collection, and clearing the blocked waterways before the situation degenerates further.
They warned that continued neglect could turn Igando Road into a public health disaster if swift action is not taken to address what they described as a total environmental mess waiting to happen.
