The Lagos State Government over the weekend directed the reopening of Oke Arin/Gorodom market in Lagos Island on Monday following the signing of an undertaking by the traders for environmental cleanliness just as a 48hrs quit notice was given to traders operating under the Idumota Ebutte /Ero Police post area of Lagos Island.
The directives were given by the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab when he led State officials on an inspection tour of the Markets in Lagos Island which was closed over two weeks ago due to flagrant disregard for the State Environmental laws.
Wahab while undertaking the inspecti, n also gave a 48 hours quit notice to all traders/ stall owners under Idumota/ Ebute Ero Police Post overhead for indiscriminate erection of attachment stalls which is constituting dangers and environmental nuisance.
He emphasized the need for everyo, e including traders at all markets to priotize environmental cleanliness in order to prevent spread of diseases .
Wahab said the inspection tour was embarked upon to check the level of compliance following theenforcement actions carried out to re-established Iga modile / Gorodom/Bombata / Olusi/ Alagbafo collectors and tertiary drains in the axis that were hitherto converted into lock up shops and buildings resulting to the initial sealing of the Markets for some weeks ago.
“It is necessary for everyone to take care of the environment, the traders caused the closure of the market; government will not let down its guards; Going forward, we are determined to go around nooks and crannies of Lagos State, to reestablish our drainage alignments in order to avoid flooding because when ever there is flood in the state, you people will accuse government of being irresponsible” he said.
He said the traders along the reestablished channel will be required to sign an undertaking to take ownership of the infrastructure and enforce environmental sanitation in the market, prevent indiscriminate dumping of refuse in the drainage channels while ensuring that waste bins are placed at designated points where PSP operators can easily cart them away.
The Commissioner ordered that the markets be reopened on Monday while urging market operators / traders to keep their environment clean and imbibe good environmental sanitation and hygiene practices always stating that is not only essential for good health but will also attract patronage for business.
“Do we feel responsible when we discharge wastes into the public drains, we can do better than this; the state government is not happy; we must have an undertaking from each and every one of you that you will take care of your surroundings beyond your stores; drainage systems must be cleaned, waste baskets for each store must be put in place and also give us the assurance to maintain a clean environment”
“While you people are primarily concerned about the money and profit you are going to make, the government is concerned about the bigger problem that can affect the society and is determined to achieve environmental sustainability” he said.
Wahab explained that the illegal process in which shop owners/ traders had converted the set back of the drainage channels in these markets to stalls had impeded the free flow of storm water and could lead to a serious disease breakouts of Cholera, Diarrhea, typhoid fever amongst others saying if each and everyone make good sanitation practices a daily affair in their shops and environs it would save the citizenry from continous visit to the hospitals.
Source: www.mynigeria.com
