Four Lagos markets that were earlier closed over filth and gross environmental abuse have been re-opened by the state government.
The recent development was made by the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, on Monday, stating that the marketers have so far complied with the measures.
According to the MD, the move, which was meant to safeguard public health, achieved its purpose.
His words, “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.”
Speaking further, Gbadegesin revealed to newsmen that to continue activities in the re-opened market, the traders 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,” Gbadegesin said.
He implored the executive members of markets in the state to live up to their responsibilities, urging traders to be public-minded by being hygienic in their trading activities, as that would be usually beneficial to them and their customers.
He added that, local government authorities would be entrusted with the responsibility of monitoring market operations’ adherence to set conditions.
He urged members of the public to play a pivotal role in this process by promptly reporting any observed lapses in sanitation to LAWMA.
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 fine.