Lagos Government Shuts Down Oke-Afa and Katangua Markets, as Crackdown on Dirty Environment Continues

The Lagos State Government has closed down the Oke-Afa Market, Isolo and Katangua Market in Abule Egba, for violating waste disposal regulations and for unhygienic practices around the markets.

The spokesman of the Lagos State Waste Management Agency (LAWMA), Folashade Kadiri, in a statement released on Monday, said the closure of the markets is in a bid to curb mounting environmental health concerns.

Folashade said that the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, noted that the government’s zero tolerance for waste initiative which started last year was still on course, stressing that any market or facility engaging in reckless waste disposal would be sanctioned.

“The government has not jettisoned its zero tolerance for waste initiative which we have been pursuing since last year. The only way for markets and traders is to engage in decent and civilised waste disposal practices as outlined by the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA).

Any market or facility that runs foul of this arrangement will face sanctions”.

Tokunbo Wahab assured residents that the markets would remain sealed until stringent hygiene and waste disposal measures were implemented and compliance maintained, adding that the state government was committed to ensuring cleanliness in all parts of the metropolis.

“The health and well-being of our residents are paramount. We cannot allow a few to endanger the health of many through irresponsible environmental practices. The sealing of these markets is a necessary step to compel compliance and safeguard public health”.