Public Health: Ogun issues 7-day ultimatum to eateries, food outlets for improved hygiene

*Ola Oresanya, Commissioner for Environment in Ogun State of Nigeria directs the eateries and food outlets in Oke-Ilewo axis of Abeokuta to improve on their operational hygiene to safeguard consumers and other residents of the state against the risk of food poising

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

For consistently fouling their immediate environment with unhygienic pollution emanating from unwholesome practices, the Ogun State Government has given a seven-day ultimatum to eateries and food outlets in the high-brow Oke-Ilewo axis of Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, to remedy the situation or face total closure and possible prosecution.

ConsumerConnect reports Mr. Ola Oresanya, Honourable Commissioner for Environment in Ogun State, despite several warnings to the food vendors, handed down the ultimatum after his inspection visits to the affected eateries and food outlets in the area.

Governor (Prince) Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State

Oresanya directed that they must immediately improve on their operational hygiene so as to safeguard consumers and residents of the state against the risk of food poising resulting from their present condition.

According to Oresanya, it was discovered that accumulated fats, oils and grease and other food materials in confined chambers, which were not scooped daily would allow their breakdown by microbes to release toxic waste.

The Commissioner also said: “Aside from this, it was discovered that they were discharging their untreated waste water directly into the public drain.

“Open holes were also seen within their septic tanks holding faecal matters, general poor house-keeping as well as evidence of rat infestation within their stores areas.”

Oresanya further disclosed that the Ogun State Government had already taken evidence against the concerned   eateries and food outlets, in case of the need for prosecuted for food-poisoning.

These, he noted, could also be used for possible escalation to other Federal Government agencies, should they fail to correct and improve on all anomalies pointed out to them within the stipulated days.

The Commissioner for Environment assured consumers and other residents in the state, that the government monitoring team would continue to enforce the state sanitation laws.

Oresanya, therefore, urged all eateries and food outlets to be on the right side of the law, as the government will always protect the interest of its residents when it comes to public hygiene and consumer safety.

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