Lagos State government has warned market leaders across the state against jeopardising efforts in averting flooding, saying any market found indiscriminately dumping waste to block drainages will be shut down.
The state gave the warning at a one-day seminar organised by the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO) in collaboration with the state Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs.
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Dr. Wale Ahmed and his counterpart, Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tunji Bello, who was represented by the permanent secretary of the ministry, Mr. Belinda Odeneye tasked market women and men on proper hygiene.
Ahmed in his welcome address stressed the need to revisit the issue of market sanitation and security, considering the increase in population and waste generation in the state.
“The benefits and advantages of sanitation in our markets cannot be exhausted, considering the fact that we have three hundred and eighty-two registered markets in Lagos State,” he said.
In her keynote address, chairperson of COWLSO and wife of the state governor, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, emphasised the importance of hygiene and cleanliness in the market place, which according to her would engender a healthy environment.
“We know that a lot of waste is generated from our markets and as market leaders, it is important that we seize this opportunity to appeal to our market men and women to do away with unhygienic practices including indiscriminate dumping of waste, blocking of drainages and street trading, among others.
‘’The truth of the matter is that it is in our collective interest to imbibe international best practices in administering markets and protect our environment,” she said.
Also, Permanent Secretary, Office of the Environmental Services, Mrs. Belinda Odeneye, who spoke during webinar session in commemoration of the year 2021 International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies, has highlighted robust initiatives in pursuit of clean air in the state.
She noted that Lagos as Africa’s fastest growing Mega City is confronted with myriads of environmental challenges, particularly, from transportation, power, industrial activities and waste management, thus the determination to rid the state of all forms of pollution and bequeath to the people, a clean, safe, healthy and more friendly environment.
Odeneye listed The Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) system, tree Planting and greening of open spaces, improvement in the management of dumpsites across the state as means of curbing air pollution in the state.
In his presentation, titled, “Air Quality and Air pollution Medical Implications, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi reiterated the positive impact and actualisation of the state health system goals nd uncontaminated environment.
He called for holistic protection of the environment in to prevent health issues, such as respiratory, cardiovascular, systemic inflammation and oncogenic potentials against constant and long-time exposure to polluted air.
