Traders and residents at the back of the modern Central Motor Park in Benin City, Edo State are currently under threat of epidemic outbreak from the refuse dump, close to Bob Izua Cold Room.
The refuse dump, which has been there for months according to some residents, has become a source of concern for traders and residents who fear that the pollution may cause a major health problem in the area.
According to 34 years old Miss Genevieve Michael, a trader at the back of Central Motor Park, Benin “Since I came here, this dirt has been here. My major concern now is that there will not be an outbreak of disease as this heap of rubbish is constituting a nuisance. I just pray somebody does not get infected by disease. You find it difficult to breathe properly here,” she said.
Also, Musa Mohammed, who sells foodstuffs in the area said the only reason he is there is because he does not have any other place to go to for now.
“I don’t have any place to go and sell my market. This place can cause disease for somebody,” Musa said.
However, calls and messages sent to the mobile number of the state commissioner for physical planning, housing, urban and regional development, Isoken Omo, were not responded to.