THE state government through its Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has threatened to shut down both Ladipo and Oyingbo markets indefinitely next Thursday over traders’ indiscriminate waste disposal in both markets.
It said that traders in both markets have been identified to allegedly engage in reckless waste dumping, refusal to pay for waste disposal services, and poor sanitation within the trading areas.
The Managing Director, LAWMA, Ibrahim Odumboni, made the threat through a statement released by the Director, Public Affairs of the agency, Folashade Kadiri, toay.
Odumboni noted that the unwholesome environmental practices by traders in those markets, despite repeated warnings, called for necessary and immediate sanctions.
He said: “Our attention has been drawn to the deplorable state of the environment around Ladipo Market, Mushin and Oyingbo Market, resulting from reckless waste dumping by traders. Despite serving them abatement notices, they have continued the mindless environmental violation. We are left with no other choice than to evoke the necessary sanction of shutting down the markets. This is also meant to serve as a deterrent to other nonchalant markets”.
The LAWMA boss stated that the authority had, in recent times, redoubled its efforts to ensure that business activities in all Lagos markets were carried out in a clean and safe environment, for the good of all.
According to him, we have intensified our sanitation efforts by deploying trucks to clear black spots across the metropolis, especially business facilities. However, these efforts are being tainted by the activities of mischievous persons who would rather dump their waste indiscriminately on the roads, than pay for waste services.
He urged traders in other markets to adhere strictly to environmental hygiene or risk indefinite closure of their markets.
