Unexpectedly, Metropolitan Lagos most famous dumpsite at Olusosun, Ojota has been gutted by fire, leaving residents, motorists and commuters panicky.
Thick black smoke could be seen far from the site, located near the old Lagos Toll Gate.
According to witnesses, the unusual fire triggered a heavy traffic jam in the area.
Tiamiyu said that what was of utmost importance was to stop the fire, so that it does not extend to the LAGBUS Terminus. He said that the fire started around 4pm and there was no casualty
According to him, the emergency response team, the Lagos Fire Service, the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) were at the site to curtail the fire. NAN reports that the Lagos state government has said that the Olusosun and other dumpsites will be closed down, as part of the Cleaner Lagos Initiative (CLI).
The government, through an Environmental Utility Firm, Visionscape Sanitation Solutions, has commenced the construction of the first engineered sanitary landfill in Epe, to ensure better waste management. ‘Cleaner Lagos’, a Twitter handle of the Ministry of Environment explained the possible cause of fire: “It is necessary to clarify that the fire at Olusosun dumpsite wasn’t deliberately set by the Lagos state government or any individual. It broke out as a result of the pockets of unstable gases caused by indiscriminate dumping and further compounded by dry weather Meanwhile, a top Lagos monarch, Oba Rilwan Akiolu warned residents of the state that he would not save anybody caught engaging in illegal dumping of refuse in public places arguing that Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has done his best with the Cleaner Lagos Initiative (CLI).
Oba Akiolu said this on Wednesday, February 21, at a town hall meeting to sensitise traders and residents on the importance of the CLI project and the need to ensure a cleaner environment.
The monarch, who called on residents to support Visionscape in a bid to rid the state of refuse, also warned the PSP operators not to destroy Lagos by attempting to sabotage the CLI project