Lagos Closes Katangua and Oke-Afa Markets Due to Filth

The Lagos State Government has closed the Oke-Afa Market in Isolo and the Katangua Market in Abule Egba due to serious environmental violations including improper garbage disposal and several unsanitary behaviors surrounding the markets.

The markets are closing in an effort to stop growing environmental health problems, according to Folashade Kadiri, Director of Public Affairs at the Lagos State Waste Management Agency (LAWMA), who made this announcement in a statement on Monday.

In response to the development, Folashade stated that Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, had commented that the government’s zero tolerance for waste initiative, which was launched last year, was still in its original course and that any market or establishment that disposed of waste carelessly would face consequences.

He declared: “We have been pushing our zero tolerance for waste effort since last year, and the administration has not abandoned it. The Lagos garbage Management Authority’s (LAWMA) recommended methods for marketplaces and traders to dispose of their garbage are the only ones that are respectable and civilized. Any market or establishment that violates this agreement shall be subject to penalties.

Wahab gave locals the reassurance that the markets would be closed until strict waste management and hygiene regulations were put in place and followed. He also stated that the state administration was fully dedicated to making sure that the entire city was clean.

“Our residents’ health and wellbeing come first. We cannot permit a small number of people to use careless environmental practices to jeopardize the health of many. In order to enforce compliance and protect the public’s health, these markets must be sealed, he stated.

Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, the Managing Director/CEO of LAWMA, has called on market executives to always encourage their members to follow waste management guidelines. This includes using the double dino bins that are given for markets and adhering to hygienic practices in their operations.

He states, “The rules of engagement are fairly straightforward and well-known to the markets: do not dispose of waste carelessly; use the dino bins; avoid disposing of waste on the road median surrounding markets; use waste policing to prevent and apprehend outsiders interfering with your markets; and pay your waste bills on time. That is all there is to it.

He issued a warning, saying that this year would see a more determined pursuit of the zero tolerance program and that markets who do not adopt appropriate and fundamental methods for disposing of their trash would face consequences.

Gbadegesin also urged market CEOs to put in more effort in inspiring their members to take moral action and protect the environment for the benefit of everybody.

The head of LAWMA reaffirmed the organization’s dedication to maintaining a cleaner and healthier environment, emphasizing the need for collaboration from all parties involved, including traders and market operators.

Every day, LAWMA mobilizes resources to remove rubbish from markets throughout the state. Unfortunately, the markets’ own inadequate waste management procedures frequently hinder our efforts. In order to preserve clean and healthy surroundings, we implore traders and market authorities to embrace appropriate trash disposal practices and collaborate with LAWMA,” he said.