Residents have raised concerns over the growing pile of refuse on Cele Bridge at Cele Bus Stop in Lagos State, saying the accumulation has turned a busy public space into an open dumpsite and could worsen environmental problems in the area.
Footage circulating on social media shows plastic bags, household waste and other debris spread across sections of the bridge, with a large amount of refuse also visible around the canal beneath it. Tricycles and other road users can be seen moving around the affected area.
The residents are calling on the Lagos Waste Management Authority and the Mushin Local Government Council to intervene, particularly by providing suitable waste disposal facilities to prevent the area from becoming a permanent dumping ground.
Brandspur News reports that the situation raises concerns beyond sanitation. LAWMA has repeatedly warned that indiscriminate waste disposal can obstruct drainage channels and contribute to flooding, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall. The agency says clearing blocked waterways and drainage channels is part of its environmental responsibilities.
The refuse visible around the canal is particularly concerning because waste and plastic materials can restrict the movement of stormwater when they enter or accumulate around drainage and water channels. LAWMA has previously linked blocked drains and indiscriminate dumping with increased flood risks in Lagos.
The problem also has implications for the immediate environment. A refuse heap on a busy bridge can create unpleasant conditions for pedestrians, motorists and traders operating around the transport corridor, while waste washed into waterways can further complicate efforts to keep drainage channels clear.
The concern comes as Lagos continues to strengthen enforcement against indiscriminate waste disposal. In July 2026, 16 people were sentenced to four months in prison after being convicted of environmental offences, including dumping refuse in unauthorised locations and failing to use approved waste collection services.
LAWMA says residents are expected to use approved Private Sector Participation operators for waste collection rather than disposing of refuse in drains, roadsides or other unauthorised locations. The authority has also identified free flowing drainage and reduced flooding as key objectives of its waste management system.
For residents around Cele, the immediate demand is for the accumulated waste to be removed and for a reliable disposal arrangement to be put in place. Without sustained collection and proper disposal, environmental officials face the risk of repeatedly clearing the same location while the underlying problem remains.
