Lagos reopens Alaba market, asks traders to maintain environmental standards

The Lagos state government says the Alaba International Market and some markets in the Trade Fair Complex, Ojo, have been reopened for business.

In a statement on Saturday, Tokunbo Wahab, commissioner for environment and water resources, said the market was reopened after addressing the environmental violations.

The Lagos government had earlier directed the closure of the market over poor waste disposal practices and other environmental infractions.

The commissioner said the business facility was not shut down due to political reasons but to achieve healthy environmental practices.

He said the government will continue to close down any market found violating the standard practices.

“The decision to reopen the markets follows a rigorous assessment and implementation of stringent environmental standards. These standards were set to guarantee that businesses in the state operate in a manner that is not detrimental to the environment and the well-being of people,” he added.

“I want to state emphatically that the closure of those markets has no ethnic or political motives behind it, as it was done to ensure cleanliness and environmental sustainability for the good of all residents.”

 Muyiwa Gbadegesin, managing director and chief executive officer of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), said the dumping of waste in drainage channels must be stopped.

“We have standards that each market in the state have to comply with, to make our business environment clean and healthy for both buyers and sellers,” Gbadegesin said.

“These include but not limited to: proper containarisation of waste within the markets, procurement of a double dino bins and placement in designated areas within the markets.

“Engagement of bin keepers to monitor and sanitise the bins and its surroundings, zero tolerance for open burning of waste, zero tolerance for dumping of waste in the drainage channels.

“Engagement of market policing personnel to monitor the sanitation of the market, setbacks, medians and its surroundings to avoid indiscriminate dumping and apprehend violators.

“Eradication of street trading on the road and median setbacks, which obstructs free flow of traffic and full payment of all outstanding tariffs, stressing that any violation will attract not only a penalty but subsequent closure.”

The managing director called on residents and business owners to be committed to environmental sustainability in order to avoid market closures that would affect their business activities.