The Lagos State Government, on Friday, announced the immediate closure of Mile 12 International and Owode Onirin markets.
According to a statement signed by the Director of Public
Affairs, Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Kunle Adeshina, the
markets were sealed for filth and various environmental infractions.
He stated that the markets were closed in a joint operation
carried out by enforcement officers from the Lagos Waste Management Authority
(LAWMA) and Lagos Environmental Sanitation Corps (KAI) on the directives of the
Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab.
Speaking on the operation, Wahab insisted on zero tolerance
for filth in all markets in the state.
He underscored the importance of stringent sanitation
measures in Lagos markets, noting that cleanliness and adherence to
environmental regulations were essential for a healthy city.
He said, “Recent events at Mile 12 and Owode Onirin markets
have brought to light the pressing need for strict adherence to sanitation
standards in our markets. The closure, though a difficult decision, is a
necessary step to address the prevailing environmental challenges and to ensure
the safety and well-being of all stakeholders.
“The closure of Mile 12 and Owode Onirin markets will enable
the stakeholders to assess the situation and improve public health and
environmental sanity around those axes. Conditions in the markets have deteriorated
to a point where immediate intervention became inevitable”.
The Commissioner emphasised that the enforcement action was
not an isolated event, but part of a broader strategy to instil a culture of
cleanliness and compliance with environmental regulations across the board for
markets within the state.
He urged traders and customers to prioritise hygiene and
sustainable practices in their daily business activities.
He further hinted that safety audit personnel would be
deployed to the market, to assess the situation, before any consideration for
reopening, warning other markets to toe the line of cleanliness and
environmental hygiene, to avoid severe sanctions.
On his part, the Managing Director/CEO of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa
Gbadegesin, noted that the markets were closed for very severe unhygienic
conditions and a litany of environmental infractions, adding that the closure
was necessary, to protect the health of the public and to ensure it was
properly cleaned up and sanitised.
The LAWMA boss stated that the Lagos State Government would
not relent in enforcing sanitation and environmental regulations, especially
around business facilities, urging markets in the state to support the
government’s efforts, by complying with laws and regulations, aimed at making
the city cleaner and liveable for all.
Recently, Lagos State Government ordered the immediate closure of Ladipo Market, Mushin, others over alleged environmental infractions including reckless waste disposal, unhygienic premises, and non-payment of waste bills, among others.
After over one week, the Lagos State Government reopened some of the markets shut down in the state.
The State Waste Management Authority, (LAWMA) announced the reopening of the markets including Ladipo, Oyingbo, Alamutu Ologede and Ile-Epo markets, sealed at different times over alleged violation and non-compliance with environmental laws.
The Managing Director/CEO of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, in a statement by Director, Public Affairs, Folashade Kadiri, stressed the importance of stringent compliance measures in safeguarding public health and shielding residents against future health crises.
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