Lagos Shuts Oke-Afa, Katangua Markets Over Filth, Improper Waste Management

 

The Lagos State Government has sealed off Oke-Afa Market, Isolo and Katangua Market, Abule Egba, for violating waste disposal regulations and for sundry unhygienic practices around the markets, constituting grave environmental infractions. The Director, Public Affairs of the Lagos State Waste Managemnet Agency (LAWMA), Folashade Kadiri, who disclosed this in a statement on Monday, said the closure of the markets is in a bid to curb mounting environmental health concerns.

Commenting on the development, Folashade said that the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, noted that the government’s zero tolerance for waste initiative which started last year was still on course, stressing that any market or facility engaging in reckless waste disposal would be sanctioned.

He said: “The government has not jettisoned it’s zero tolerance for waste initiative which we have been pursuing since last year. The only way for markets and traders, is to engage in decent and civilised waste disposal practices as outlined by the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA). Any market or facility that runs foul of this arrangement will face sanctions”.

Wahab assured residents that the markets would remain sealed until stringent hygiene and waste disposal measures were implemented and compliance maintained, adding that the state government was totally committed to ensuring cleanliness in all parts of the metropolis. “The health and well-being of our residents are paramount. We cannot allow a few to endanger the health of many through irresponsible environmental practices. The sealing of these markets is a necessary step to compel compliance and safeguard public health”, he said.

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