LAWMA shuts down Sangotedo market over poor sanitation

The Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has ordered the closure of Sangotedo Market, in Eti Osa local government area in Lagos.

The directive was given on Friday by Folasade Kadiri, LAWMA director of public affairs, adding that the closure was due to indiscriminate dumping of refuse and poor hygiene practices by traders in the market.

Kadiri said the situation resulted in serious environmental problems in the area.

She noted that the government’s efforts at restoring environmental sanity in the area were being thwarted by the unhygienic activities of traders, who had consistently violated environmental laws and refused to patronise assigned PSP operators.

Kadiri said the LAWMA management was working round-the-clock to reposition the organisation to rid the state of waste, necessitating the introduction of ‘Lagos at 4:00 a.m.’ operation and other laudable initiatives which are aimed at restoring environmental integrity in the state.

She said the authority had strongly warned of severe sanctions, including further closure of markets that indulge in indiscriminate dumping of refuse and on-road medians.

“It would be recalled that in February 2019, LAWMA warned that it would shut down the Ladipo ultra-modern market in Mushin, due to poor waste management practices, a plan later shelved after the traders turned a new leaf,” she said.

Kadiri urged residents to support the state government’s quest to establish a sustainable and livable environment that would be the pride of everyone, adding that they should shun indiscriminate waste disposal and patronise assigned PSP operators.