Open Defecation Worsens Along 7.8km Stretch on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway

Open defecation has taken over a significant 7.8-kilometer stretch along the Lagos-Ogun corridor on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, according to Dr. Babatunde Ajayi, the General Manager of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA).

Speaking at a briefing on the upcoming Lagos Sustainability Summit titled “Building a Resilient and Sustainable Lagos,” Ajayi identified open defecation as a major environmental challenge. He emphasized the agency’s commitment to addressing the issue, noting the impact of population growth on the problem, particularly in key access points and cluster areas along the highway.

Ajayi revealed that the open defecation problem extends into Ogun State, and there is an ongoing collaboration with the Ogun State Government to tackle the issue. He mentioned several initiatives underway, including cleanup efforts, the commissioning of public toilets, enforcement measures, and the installation of lighting in vulnerable areas.

Additionally, some filling stations along the route have agreed to provide free toilet facilities to the public. However, the median on the Ojodu-Berger section of the expressway remains a hotspot for defacement by faeces, making it an eyesore.

In response, LASEPA and the Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency (OSEPA) have launched a joint enforcement drive, particularly focusing on the median from OPIC Plaza to Otedola Bridge. Over the weekend, Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, reported via his X handle that more than 20 suspects had been arrested in connection with the issue.