Lagos State government, yesterday, continued its bid to curb environmental health concerns by sealing the Oke-Afa market in Isolo and Katangua market in Abule Egba.
 
The markets were shut for violating waste disposal regulations and for sundry unhygienic practices. Commenting on the development, Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, said the government’s zero tolerance policy, which started last year is still on course, stressing that any market or facility that engages in reckless waste disposal would be sanctioned.
  
He urged markets to engage in decent and civilised waste disposal practices as outlined by the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), warning that any market or facility that runs afoul of this arrangement will face sanctions.
 
Wahab assured residents that the markets would remain sealed until stringent hygiene and waste disposal measures are implemented and compliance maintained. He said the state government is 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.
   
On his part, managing director/CEO of LAWMA, Muyiwa Gbadegesin, urged various market executives to mobilise their members to abide by waste management regulations, including the use of bins provided for markets and observance of hygienic habits.
 
According to him, “the rules of engagement are simple enough and the markets are all familiar with them: do not dispose of waste recklessly; use the dino bins; shun waste disposal on road medians around markets; deploy waste policing to prevent and apprehend outsiders messing up your markets, and pay your waste bills promptly. It is as simple as that.”
 
He warned that the zero tolerance initiative would be pursued more vigorously this year, adding that markets that refuse to embrace basic and decent waste disposal practices would not escape sanctions.
 
Gbadegesin further appealed to market executives to work harder on mobilising their members to do what is right to preserve the environment. He reiterated the agency’s commitment to ensuring a cleaner and healthier environment, stressing that cooperation from all stakeholders, including market operators and traders, is crucial.

“LAWMA deploys resources daily to clear waste from markets across the state. However, our efforts are often hampered by poor waste management practices within the markets themselves. We urge traders and market authorities to adopt responsible waste disposal habits and work with LAWMA to maintain clean and healthy environments,” he added