Lagos Government Closes Markets in Mile 12 and Owode Onirin Due to Environmental Violations

The Lagos State government stated that there would be no tolerance for trash in any of the state’s markets.

The Mile 12 International and Owode Onirin markets will be shut down immediately, the Lagos State Government declared on Friday.

The markets were shut down for filth and other environmental violations, according to a statement issued by Kunle Adeshina, Director of Public Affairs for the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources.

He claimed that on the orders of the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, enforcement officials from the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) and Lagos Environmental Sanitation Corps (KAI) together closed the markets.

Speaking on the operation, Wahab stated that there will be no tolerance for filth in any of the state’s markets.

He emphasised the need for strict sanitary measures in Lagos marketplaces, stressing that a healthy city required cleanliness and adherence to environmental laws.

The recent incidents at the Mile 12 and Owode Onirin markets, he continued, “have highlighted the urgent need for rigorous adherence to sanitary standards in our markets. Despite being a painful choice, the closure is a requirement to address the current environmental concerns and to guarantee the safety and wellbeing of all stakeholders.

The stakeholders will be able to examine the situation and improve public health and environmental sanity surrounding those axes thanks to the closure of the Mile 12 and Owode Onirin markets. Market conditions have gotten so bad that quick intervention has become necessary.

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The Commissioner stressed that the enforcement action was not a singular occurrence but rather a component of a larger plan to instill a culture of cleanliness and environmental compliance at all levels for markets in the state.

He advised company owners and clients to promote sustainability and hygiene in all aspects of everyday operations.

He also implied that before considering reopening, safety audit personnel will be sent to the market to assess the condition. He warned other markets to adhere to strict environmental hygiene and cleanliness standards to avoid facing harsh penalties.

For his part, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, managing director/CEO of LAWMA, noted that the markets were shut down due to extremely poor hygienic conditions and a long list of environmental violations, adding that the closure was required to protect the public’s health and make sure it was thoroughly cleaned and sanitised.

In order to support the government’s efforts to make the city cleaner and more livable for everyone, the LAWMA boss declared that the Lagos State Government would not give up on enforcing sanitation and environmental regulations, particularly around commercial facilities. He urged the state’s markets to do so by abiding by relevant laws and regulations.