Lagos school refuse cleared after PUNCH report

Before and after evacuation. Photos: Dayo Oyewo

The refuse heap that had accumulated in front of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola Primary School, along Shasha Road in the Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State, has been evacuated following a report by PUNCH Metro.

In the report published on Wednesday, PUNCH Metro observed pupils covering their noses as they walked past the waste during their arrival at school, while some tried to avoid the offensive smell as they made their way into the premises.

A similar situation was observed at closing time.

The decomposing waste had also produced an offensive odour that spread into the school premises, making the learning environment uncomfortable.

A staff member told our correspondent that the situation was increasingly uncomfortable, particularly for the pupils.

PUNCH Metro, however, observed on Monday that the refuse had been completely cleared from the frontage of the school.

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This also brought relief to pupils, teachers and residents who had endured the offensive odour from the decomposing waste.

A resident, who identified himself simply as Femi, said operators of the Private Sector Participation waste management scheme began evacuating the refuse the day after the report.

He said, “The PSP operators started coming to clear the refuse the day after it was reported in the news. They continued with the work, and by the third day, they had completely cleared the place.”

A member of staff at the school, who spoke on condition of anonymity, also confirmed the evacuation, saying it had restored a more comfortable atmosphere for teaching and learning.

“We are happy that the refuse has been cleared because the smell was becoming unbearable, especially for the children. The odour used to spread into the school, and pupils and teachers found it hard to cope with. Since the waste was evacuated, fresh air has returned to the environment, and the school premises are now more comfortable,” the staff member said.