The Ogun State Government has warned market leaders and traders against indiscriminate waste disposal, saying that any market found operating illegal dumpsites could be closed to safeguard public health.

The warning was issued by the Special Adviser to the Governor and Managing Director of the Ogun State Waste Management Authority (OGWAMA), Farouk Akintunde, following the evacuation of large volumes of refuse from the Farmers’ Market along Solu Road, Ifo, as well as Mamu Market in Ifo and Ijebu North Local Government Areas.

Akintunde condemned the practice of dumping refuse within market premises instead of using designated collection points serviced by government-approved waste operators.

He described the trend as a major environmental concern and a threat to public health.

According to him, poor waste management in the markets creates unsanitary conditions, contaminates food items, and increases the risk of food poisoning and other avoidable diseases.

He stressed that markets should maintain high standards of cleanliness, especially as they serve as centres for the sale of food consumed by the public.

“It is unacceptable for market leaders and traders to convert their markets into illegal dumpsites. Waste must only be disposed of at approved collection points for evacuation by licensed waste collectors,” Akintunde said.

He added that the state government had repeatedly sensitised market associations on proper sanitation and waste management, making it unjustifiable to refuse to accumulate within market environments.

The OGWAMA boss warned that the government would not tolerate actions capable of endangering residents’ health through poor sanitation practices.

Akintunde urged leaders of the affected markets to sustain proper hygiene and ensure effective waste disposal, noting that the recent evacuation exercise should not be interpreted as permission to resume indiscriminate dumping.

He reiterated that any market found violating waste management regulations after the clean-up exercise would face closure in the interest of protecting public health.