Nasarawa govt shuts Lafia tomato market, impounds 37 tricycles over sanitation
pannigeriannews
2 min read
The Nasarawa State Government has impounded 37 tricycles and shut the popular Lafia Tomato Market for violating the state’s monthly environmental sanitation regulations.
Mrs Margaret Elayo, the Commissioner for Environment, Solid Minerals and Mining, disclosed this on Saturday while leading the enforcement team during the August monthly environmental sanitation exercise in Lafia.
Elayo said the tricycles were impounded for operating during the hours designated for the sanitation exercise, adding that they would remain in government custody for two days.
She said the owners would also undergo a compulsory sensitisation exercise on Monday before the vehicles would be released.
The commissioner also ordered the immediate closure of the Lafia Tomato Market over poor sanitation and unhygienic practices, warning that the situation could expose residents to serious health risks.
She said Gov. Abdullahi Sule had earlier directed that the market be thoroughly cleaned, but expressed displeasure that traders and the market association had failed to comply with the directive.
“We have observed heaps of refuse, poor drainage and unhygienic handling of perishable goods in this market.
“This poses a serious health risk to residents and government cannot fold its arms and allow a disease outbreak caused by the nonchalant attitude of the traders,” she said.
Elayo explained that the market would remain closed throughout Saturday and Sunday to enable the traders and market association to conduct a comprehensive sanitation exercise in line with the ministry’s hygiene standards.
“The ministry will conduct a re-inspection on Monday to ascertain whether the cleaning complies with environmental standards before the market reopens,” she added.
She appealed to residents to support government’s sanitation efforts by keeping their surroundings clean and complying with environmental regulations.
“If the environment is kept clean, it will guard against possible outbreaks of diseases, thereby ensuring improved healthy living of the people,” she said.
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