Traders and consumers at Oyingbo Market in Lagos have raised concerns over growing heaps of refuse that have taken over sections of the popular marketplace, warning that the situation poses risks to public health, food safety, and business activities.
A visit to the market in the Ebute Metta area of Lagos Mainland revealed large piles of decomposing waste encroaching on walkways and trading spaces, leaving traders and shoppers to navigate around mounds of refuse.
The waste, made up of rotting vegetables, food remnants, plastic bottles, and black nylon bags, has accumulated beside stalls where fruits, vegetables, meat, and other food items are sold for human consumption.
The development comes amid growing concerns about food safety in Nigeria, where unsafe food is estimated to cause tens of thousands of deaths and millions of illnesses annually.
Traders Battle Stench, Falling Sales
Several traders told reporters that the refuse had remained uncleared for weeks despite regular sanitation payments.
A plantain seller, who identified herself as Adaeze, said traders now contend daily with the smell of decomposing waste.
“The odour has become unbearable. We deal with it every day, especially during the rainy season. Waste evacuation used to be regular, but it has stopped for some time now,” she said.
Another trader, Ngozi, said the situation had worsened following recent rainfall, which flooded parts of the market and spread dirt around trading areas.
“Our goods are perishable, and we have nowhere else to go. The smell keeps getting worse, but we still have to sell,” she said.
Butcher Salahu Adeyemi said the offensive odour was driving customers away and affecting business.
“Some customers rush their purchases and leave immediately because of the smell. Others avoid the area entirely,” he said.
Business owners located behind the refuse heaps also complained that the waste now blocks visibility to their shops, reducing customer traffic and affecting sales.
Food Safety Concerns
Public health experts warn that the close proximity of decomposing waste to food items creates favourable conditions for contamination.
According to health specialists, flies and other insects attracted to refuse can transfer harmful microorganisms to exposed food products. Rainwater can also carry contaminants from waste heaps into nearby trading areas, increasing the risk of foodborne illnesses.
A Public Health Nutrition Specialist, James Oloyede, described the situation as a significant food safety concern, noting that waste and food displayed side by side increase the likelihood of cross-contamination.
He explained that decomposing waste attracts pests, releases harmful microorganisms, and generates heat that can accelerate the deterioration of fruits and vegetables, reducing their nutritional quality.
Oloyede further warned that waste accumulation provides breeding grounds for rodents, cockroaches, and other disease-carrying pests capable of spreading infections.
Reflection of Wider Waste Challenge
The situation at Oyingbo Market mirrors broader waste management challenges across Lagos, where thousands of tonnes of refuse are generated daily.
Across several communities, overflowing bins, roadside dumps, and blocked drainage channels have become increasingly common, prompting concerns about environmental sanitation and public health.
Residents and traders are calling for urgent intervention by relevant authorities to clear the refuse and restore sanitary conditions at the market before the situation worsens.
They warned that beyond the discomfort caused by the stench, the continued accumulation of waste threatens food safety, public health, and the livelihoods of hundreds of traders who depend on the market for income.
