The Lagos State Government has dwith immediate effect shut the Mile 12 International and Owode Onirin markets due to grave concerns over their unclean conditions and multiple environmental violations.
The directive for this action came from the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, and was executed through a joint operation involving enforcement officers from the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) and the Lagos Environmental Sanitation Corps (KAI), as stated in a press release by the Director of Public Affairs at the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Kunle Adeshina.
Commissioner Wahab stressed the government's commitment to a zero-tolerance policy on unsanitary conditions in all markets across the state.
He emphasized the crucial role that stringent sanitation measures play in ensuring the overall health and wellbeing of the city's residents.
Wahab acknowledged that recent developments at Mile 12 and Owode Onirin markets had exposed the urgent need for strict adherence to sanitation standards.
While the closure was undoubtedly a challenging decision, it was deemed necessary to address the ongoing environmental challenges and secure the safety of all involved parties.
Wahab further pointed out that this enforcement action was not an isolated incident but part of a broader initiative to cultivate a culture of cleanliness and regulatory compliance within all markets in the state.
He urged both traders and customers to prioritize hygiene and sustainable practices in their daily business operations. A
dditionally, he disclosed plans to deploy safety audit personnel to assess the market's condition before considering any reopening, and he issued a stern warning to other markets to uphold cleanliness and environmental hygiene standards to avoid similar punitive actions.
