After five days of being shut down and denied access to their
markets due to improper waste disposal and other environmental
infractions, the Lagos State government has ordered the re-
opening of the Alayabiagba Market in Ajegunle, a suburb in the
city.
The market had been shut alongside another popular one in
Oyingbo last Tuesday on the orders of the state government.
According to the state Commissioner for the Environment and
Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, on Saturday, he said the
market reopening was deemed necessary on seeing that the
marketers had adhered to all earlier contravened laws which
initially instigated the closure of the market.
Wahab told media personnel during his inspection to the market
that government decided to re-open the market after it discovered
that all checklist given to its officials have been duly redressed.
He said “Some of the contravention that were pointed out to
include placements of ‘Double Dino Bin’ within the market as well
as erection of fence at the entrance, had been duly produced.”
The Commissioner said the Lagos government will further ensure
sustainability of all sanitation guiding the establishment of
markets spaces as he urged traders in the market to respect the
environmental laws and ensure proper waste disposal at all times.
He adds: “We must stop littering our market with wastes,
segregate and bag our wastes and always patronize PSP operators,
and stop illegal dumpsites on road medians, kerbs, open spaces
and road setbacks and start policing our environment.”
The Commissioner noted that he had earlier visited Lekki where a
lot several human contraventions were discovered resulting from
construction work in the area to address issues surrounding
clogged-up drains and mop-up floods that have taken over streets
and roads in Lekki.
He also emphasized that the environment ministry with other
relevant agencies such as the Lagos State Waste Management
Agency (LAWMA) and Lekki Residents Association (LIRA), will
ensure the seal-up of all commercial buildings and houses on
Admiralty way for contravening environmental laws.
He said: “We need you all to know that the ultimate goal of
clearing and dredging of all drainage channels and canals is to
allow easy passage of rainstorm water. That’s why government
has made continuous dredging of major drainage channels and
canals spread across the state a norm in order to avoid dangers of
flooding. We are also hoping that succor will come to Lekki
residents as soon as clogged up tertiary drains are cleaned up by
them.
“But the poor spate of the drainage system management by these
commercial buildings had seriously affected the road networks in
Lekki axis despite the government’s continuous rehabilitation of
the roads. It’s time to let all know that the state government now
has zero tolerance for environmental abuse especially drainage
blockage.”
Citing the Durosimi-Etti channel as a classic example, Wahab
said, “it is terribly littered with wastes by shuttle buses parked
beside canal and that is such an act that must be condemned as
unacceptable by citizens and residents of Lagos State.”
He thereby urged LASPARK as a matter of urgency to take over
and ensure that the foliage beside the Durosimi-Etti canal is
continuously cleaned up.
In response, the Chairman, LIRA, Mrs. Tari Taylour, advised all
Lekki residents to always dispose their wastes properly by
patronizing the PSP as well ensure they clean their frontage
drainages as continuous environmental sustainability would be
beneficial to all residents on the long run
