Environment: Ogun threatens to shut erring markets over improper waste disposal

*Abayomi Semako Hunye, Special Adviser to the  State Government and Managing Director of the Ogun State Waste Management Authority, urges market men and women to imbibe the spirit of proper waste disposal across the state in view of the recent cholera outbreak in the country

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

The Ogun State Government (OGSG) of Nigeria has threatened to shut any markets found guilty of improper waste disposal and dirty environment in the overriding public interest.

The state government stated this move is especially critical in this period when the West African country is grappling with cholera outbreak spread across about 34 states of the Federation.

Hon. Abayomi Semako Hunye, Special Adviser to the Government State Government, who doubles as the Managing Director of the Ogun State Waste Management Authority (OGWAMA), issued the threat during a recent meeting with the Executive and members of the Ogun State Association of Market Men and Women, in Abeokuta, the state capital.

Hon. Hunye noted that this period, when the country is battling to overcome the outbreak of cholera, calls for proper waste disposal and general cleanliness in all markets as markets are rallying points for purchase of all commodities, such as foodstuffs, provisions and other items.

He emphasised that all markets must be sparkling clean at all times.

Hunye explained that improper waste disposal in markets breeds rodents, vectors and flies, which infest commodities sold to the general public, which in turn, will lead to unwanted diseases among residents.

“In Ogun State, the government has provided big waste collection bins in most of the markets with some serviced by Waste PSP Operators, so the traders in various markets have no reason not to properly dispose their waste.

“However, some of the traders with their market leaders looking away, dump their waste in their immediate surroundings, especially on drainage channels in front of their shops or stalls, thereby blocking them which will lead to unnecessary erosion when it rains and create offensive odour in the market space,” stated he.

The Special Adviser to OGSG also noted: “To make matters worse, some markets create illegal dump-sites within their space, especially at the back which have become haven for rodents, vectors and flies which feeds and perch on their commodities that they sells to the public.

“These illegal dumpsites aside from aiding the spread of diseases also leads to fire outbreak in markets notably that of Lafenwa Market in Abeokuta months back.”

Hunye stated: “So, the state government will not allow such issues to happen in any of its market; hence the need for proper waste disposal as any market found flouting this directive will be shut.”

To avoid such, he called on the market men and women to imbibe the spirit of proper waste disposal in their different markets and cooperate with the Ogun State Waste Management Authority for waste free and clean environment by paying their government subsidised waste bills as at when due which will rub-off on the general well-being of the society.