Lagos state government has announced the immediate closures of Mile 12 and Owode Onirin markets over dirt and various environmental infractions.
Gatekeepers News reports that the Director of Public Affairs at the Lagos state Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Kunle Adeshina said the markets were closed during a joint operation by the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) and Lagos Environmental Sanitation Corps.
The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, said the closures had become imperative to address environmental challenges in the city.
Wahab said post-closure personnel would be deployed to the markets to assess the situation before any consideration for reopening.
The Commissioner said, “Recent events at Mile 12 and Owode Onirin markets have brought to light the pressing need for strict adherence to sanitation standards in our markets.
“The enforcement action is part of a broader strategy to instill a culture of cleanliness and compliance with environmental regulations across the board for markets within the state.”
On his part, the Managing Director of LAWMA, Muyiwa Gbadegesin said the markets were closed due to severe unhygienic conditions and a litany of environmental infractions.
Gbadegesin added that the closures were necessary to protect the health of the public, adding that the state government would not relent in enforcing sanitation regulations.
