Smoke causes worry in Lagos

Some parts of Lagos were, on Monday evening, engulfed in a thick smoke that emanated from the largest dump site in Lagos State – the Olusosun Landfill at Ojota.

Though the smoke, which covered parts of Ojota, Old Toll Gate and Ikosi-Ketu, lasted for more than one hour, it made visibility poor before it eventually disappeared.

Many people trading or working in the affected places were seen covering their nostrils with handkerchiefs, even as many of them were also heard complaining about the development.

A security officer working with a bank located at Ikosi Road was heard complaining about the development, and wondered why the waste management agency in charge of the site would decide to burn refuse during the day.

However, when responding to a message sent by the Nigerian Tribune about the development, Mr Oladimeji Oresanya, Managing Director of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), which is the agency in charge of managing the landfill, revealed that the smoke came from a fire that was started accidentally by one of its trucks.

“Waste burning is illegal and unhygienic. This has never been supported by LAWMA as a professional body. What is going on at Olusosun is purely an accident, which is currently receiving attention. A truck mistakenly dropped fire loaded at the site,” he stated.