By Oluwatosin Maliki
The Lagos State Government has announced the shutdown of the Mile 12 International and Owode Onirin markets for flouting its environmental regulations.
In a statement signed by the Director of Public Affairs, Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Kunle Adeshina, the markets were closed because of filth and various other environmental infractions.
Furthermore, he explained that the markets were sealed on the directives of the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, which was executed in a joint operation by the enforcement officers from the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) and Lagos Environmental Sanitation Corps (KAI).
While speaking on the operation, Wahab emphasized that there would be zero tolerance for filth in all markets in the state.
In addition, he noted the importance of stringent sanitation measures in Lagos markets, expressing that cleanliness and compliance with environmental regulations are essential for a healthy city.
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He stated, “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”.
Also, the Commissioner stressed that the enforcement action was not an isolated event, but a strict measure for traders to imbibe the culture of cleanliness and adherence to environmental regulations across markets within the state.
Meanwhile, he encouraged traders and customers to prioritize hygiene and sustainable practices in their day-to-day business activity.
Consequently, a safety audit personnel would be designated to the market to assess the situation, before any consideration for reopening, also a stern warning was issued to other markets to cultivate the habit of cleanliness and environmental sanitation, in order to avoid severe sanctions.
Also, the Managing Director/CEO of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, expressed that the markets were closed for very severe unhygienic conditions and a litany of environmental infractions, noting that the closure was necessary, to protect the health of the public and to ensure it was properly cleaned up and sanitized.
The LAWMA boss assured that the Lagos State Government would not relent in its efforts to enforce sanitation and environmental regulations within the state, particularly around business facilities, while also calling markets in the state to support the government, by complying with the stipulated laws and regulations, aimed at making the city cleaner and conducive for everyone to live in.