The Lagos State Government has re-opened Ladipo, Oyingbo, Alamutu Ologede, and Ile-Epo markets, recently sealed over sanitation issues, The Herald report.
Recall that the Lagos Waste Management Authority, (LAWMA) sealed the markets for environmental offences, including, reckless waste disposal, and unhygienic premises, among others.
The Herald reports that the Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab announced the re-opening via is official X (formerly Twitter) account.
The state government said that the re-opening of these markets which were shut due to environmental issues, followed full compliance with requisite conditions.
Wahab, who has been on an environmental enforcement drive that has led to the shutting down of various markets and the demolition of shanties across the state since the resumption of duty, noted that subsequent violations will attract the permanent closure of these markets.
Further speaking via a statement on Monday, the Managing Director of LAWMA, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, announced the re-opening of the markets on Monday with stringent warning to traders.
He said; “Following extensive renovations and compliance measures, including, the implementation of stringent conditions and a written mandatory undertaking for reopening, Ladipo Market, Oyingbo Market, Alamutu Ologede Market, and Ile-Epo Oke Odo Market, have been reopened today for business transactions.”
Gbadegesin emphasized that the re-opened markets had to comply with a set of mandatory conditions listed for them prior to resuming operations.
“These conditions include providing a designated waste point; installation of block work fence and platforms for the placement of double dino bins; procurement of double dino bins for waste containerisation; commitment to putting in place sustainable market waste policing to guarantee constant cleanliness of the market environment.
“Enforce proper waste disposal regulations; engagement of bin keepers; collaboration with accredited PSP operators for timely evacuation.
“Prompt payment of waste bills, as well as dislodging Street traders from road medians and setbacks and preventing unauthorised vending,” Gbadegesin said.
According to him, a filthy market is a breeding ground for terrible diseases like cholera, typhoid, Lassa fever, ebola, malaria and others.
He stressed that the state cannot stand by and watch some markets expose the people of Lagos State to such conditions, which are clearly avoidable if they do the right things.
“We want to make it abundantly clear, that any future violations will attract stiffer sanctions, including the permanent closure of the offending market,” he said.
He implored the executive members of markets in the state to live up to their responsibilities, adding that local government authorities would be entrusted with the responsibility of monitoring market operations’ adherence to set conditions.
The LAWMA urged members of the public to play a pivotal role in this process by promptly reporting any observed lapses in sanitation to the authorities.
He reminded markets around the state that LAWMA’s zero-tolerance policy for reckless waste dumping in markets was still on course, warning that defaulting markets risked closure and heavy fines.