Lagos makes U-Turn, says Ladipo Market remains closed
Ladipo auto spare part market
Published By: Kazeem Ugbodaga
By Kazeem Ugbodaga
The Lagos State Government has made a U-turn, saying that Ladipo Market has not been reopened, as it is yet to perfect some environmental and safety conditions, required before recommencing business activities.
The government had earlier issued a statement where it said Ladipo Market and some others had been reopened.
Some of the reopened markets include Oyingbo, Ile Epo Oke-Odo and Alamutu markets.
But the Managing Director/CEO of Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, who made the clarification, noted that the market remained closed because it is observed that its management had not fully met stipulated mandatory safety and environmental measures earlier outlined by the Authority.
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He said, “Our primary concern is the safety of the people and environmental well-being at marketplaces. Reopening is contingent upon strict adherence to the safety conditions set forth by LAWMA. It is imperative that all necessary precautions are taken to prevent any potential risks.”
Gbadegesin added that while several markets had successfully met the outlined safety requirements and had been permitted to resume business, Ladipo Market would also be reopened to business activities, once it passed the requisite safety audit.
Earlier, Gbadegbesin announced that Ladipo Market, Oyingbo, Alamutu Ologede and Ile-Epo markets recently sealed for filth and gross environmental abuse had been reopened.
Gbadegesin the importance of stringent compliance measures in safeguarding public health and shielding residents against future health crises.
The reopening followed full compliance with requisite conditions. He said, “Following extensive renovations and compliance measures including, the implementation of stringent conditions and a written mandatory undertaking for reopening, Ladipo Market, Oyingbo Market, Alamutu Ologede Market, and Ile-Epo Oke Odo Market, have been reopened today for business transactions.” Gbadegesin stated that the reopened markets had to comply with a set of mandatory conditions listed for them prior to resuming operations. These conditions include providing a designated waste point; installation of block work fence and platforms for the placement of double dino bins; procurement of double dino bins for waste containerisation; commitment to putting in place sustainable market waste policing to guarantee constant cleanliness of the market environment and enforce proper waste disposal regulations; engagement of bin keepers; collaboration with accredited psp operators for timely evacuation; prompt payment of waste bills, as well as, dislodging Street traders from road medians and set backs, preventing unauthorised vending. “A filthy market is a breeding ground for terrible diseases like cholera, typhoid, Lassa fever, ebola, malaria and others. We cannot stand by and watch some markets expose the people of Lagos State to such conditions which are clearly avoidable if they do the right things,” he stressed. Speaking further, he said, “We want to make it abundantly clear, that any future violations will attract stiffer sanctions, including the permanent closure of the offending market”. Gbadegesin implored the executive members of markets in the state, to live up to their responsibilities, urging traders to be public-minded by being hygienic in their trading activities, as that would be usually beneficial to them, their customers and added that, local government authorities would be entrusted with the responsibility of monitoring market operations’ adherence to set conditions, urging members of the public to play a pivotal role in this process by promptly reporting any observed lapses in sanitation to LAWMA. He reminded markets around the state, that LAWMA’s zero tolerance policy for reckless waste dumping in markets was still on course, warning that defaulting markets risked a closure and hefty fine.
