LAGOS/Nigeria: In a significant development, the Lagos State Government has reopened the Alaba Rago Market in Ojo, following its temporary closure last week due to a range of environmental infractions. The decision to lift the closure came after the market authorities met the required conditions for sanitation compliance.
Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, conducted an on-site assessment of the market on Sunday. In an official statement, Wahab emphasized the importance of upholding environmental standards, urging all markets to prioritize cleanliness and adhere to these vital regulations. He made it clear that the state government remains committed to cracking down on markets that fall short of these standards.
“The state government has opened Alaba Rago Market, Ojo, after it was sealed for gross environmental infractions and negligence. We want to appeal to other markets to take seriously the issue of cleanliness, to make the state cleaner and livable for all,” stated Wahab.
This move reaffirms the government’s unwavering commitment to enforcing environmental standards throughout the state. It also serves as a clarion call to all market stakeholders to place a premium on cleanliness and sanitation.
Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, the Managing Director/CEO of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts between market authorities, traders, and relevant government agencies to maintain a clean and healthy market environment. He emphasized that the reopening of the market should not be misconstrued as leniency toward environmental infractions, as Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s zero tolerance policy remains in full effect.
Gbadegesin stressed that the market plays a vital role in achieving environmental sustainability across the state.
The assessment of Alaba Rago Market was conducted in the presence of various high-ranking officials, including the Special Adviser on Environment, Mr. Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu; the Permanent Secretary of the Office of Environmental Services, Mr. Gaji Omobolaji; the Permanent Secretary of the Office of Drainage Services, Mr. Lekan Shodeinde; and the Chairman of the Lagos State Taskforce, CSP Shola Jejeloye. This collaborative effort between government bodies and market authorities underscores the collective commitment to maintaining a clean and sustainable market environment in Lagos.
