By Oluwatosin Maliki
The Alaba International Market, alongside other markets in the Trade Fair Complex, which are all located in the Ojo LGA of the state, has been reopened by the Lagos State Government.
Recall, that Quest Times reported on the closure of the market, the state government a few days ago had ordered the closure of the market due to improper waste disposal and other environmental infractions.
Tokunbo Wahab, the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources in the state, on Saturday, disclosed that the markets were reopened after addressing most of the environmental issues.
Furthermore, he maintained that the shutdown was not politically motivated, but rather a step towards ensuring a clean and healthy environment around the business facilities.
He stated, “The decision to reopen the markets follows a rigorous assessment and implementation of stringent environmental standards. These standards were set to guarantee that businesses in the state operate in a manner that is not detrimental to the environment and the well-being of people”.
Hence, “I want to state emphatically that the closure of those markets has no ethnic or political motives behind it, as it was done to ensure cleanliness and environmental sustainability for the good of all residents.”
Additionally, Muyiwa Gbadegesin, the Managing Director of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), noted that the agency collaborated with the markets’ stakeholders to make sure that they implemented necessary changes to meet the required environmental standards.
He added, “We have standards that each market in the state has to comply with, to make our business environment clean and healthy for both buyers and sellers.
“These include but are not limited to proper containerization of waste within the markets; procurement of double dino bins and placement in designated areas within the markets; engagement of bin keepers to monitor and sanitise the bins and their surroundings; zero tolerance for open burning of waste and zero tolerance for the dumping of waste in the drainage channels”.
“Others are the engagement of market policing personnel to monitor the sanitation of the market, setbacks, medians, and its surroundings to avoid indiscriminate dumping and apprehend violators; eradication of street trading on the road and median setbacks, which obstructs the free flow of traffic and full payment of all outstanding tariffs.”
He emphasized that going forward, any violation would not only attract a penalty, but subsequent closure, Gbadegesin further urged residents and business owners to show commitment towards environmental sustainability, through proper waste disposal and abide by the environmental laws of the state, so as to avoid such closure that could negatively impact business activities.