By Uchechukwu Afamefune

Residents within the Navy Town, Ojo Barracks in Amuwo Odofin LGA, in Lagos have expressed profound disappointment over the state of the sewage system  in the area and have called on the state government to urgently step in to alleviate the situation.

Some of the residents who spoke to Good Health Weekly said most of the soakaway pits and sewage drainage systems have collapsed  and constitute health hazard, hence the need to have them re-constructed.

A resident told our reporter that the situation is already a potential epidemic hazard and threat to the health of Lagosians as a whole.

”Removing sewage is an essential and vital environmental health procedure for reducing risk of disease.

“Poorly drained storm water in the form of earth pit like the one we have here creates stagnant pool that produces breeding site for disease vectors, especially during the rainy season. Tanks have been brought but are yet to be installed,” he added.

It could be recalled that the Federal Government took steps in revoking the  inferior, old earth drainage system and recommended use of septic tanks that have been provided, but the tanks have been lying uninstalled on the same  spot for months without receiving the required attention.

Another resident within the Barracks, Mrs. Tayo Bumi said even when the earth pit is maintained, whenever there is heavy downpour, the foul odour of sewage is percieved  around the area from the contaminated water

”The earth drainages are not properly maintained by resident and pits are turned to dumps for solid waste.”

Observers urge government to complete the transformation of the drainage by providing a concrete lining as earth drains are likey to become clogged and overgrown, creating breeding sites for vectors of water-borne diseases.

Drainage system according to experts are designed to discharge water into the ground but in water logged areas that seems impossible.