IMPROPER WASTE DISPOSAL,OGUN THREATEN TO SHUT ERRING MARKETS

 

By Yusuf Olatunji 

Ogun state government ha mys threaten to shut any market found guilty of improper waste disposal and dirty environment in the overriding public interest especially at this period when the country in grappling with the outbreak of cholera.

Special Adviser to the Government who doubles as the Managing Director of the Ogun State Waste Management Authority OGWAMA,Hon Abayomi Semako Hunye handed out the threat during a meeting with the Executive and members of the Ogun State Association of Market Men and Women in Abeokuta.

According to him,the present period when the country is battling to overcome the outbreak of cholera calls for proper waste disposal and general cleanliness in all markets as markets are rallying points for purchase of all commodities such as foodstuffs, provisions and other items,so they must be sparkling clean at all times.

Hunye added that improper waste disposal in markets breeds rodents, vectors and flies which infests commodities sold to the general public which will lead to unwanted diseases among residents.

In Ogun state,the government has provided big waste collection bins in most of the markets with some serviced by Waste PSP Operators, so the traders in various markets have no reason not to  properly dispose their waste"

"However some of the traders with their market leaders looking away,dump their waste in their immediate surroundings  especially on drainage channels in front of their shops or stalls thereby blocking them which will lead to unnecessary erosion when it rains and  create offensive odour in the market space" 

"To make matters worst, some markets create illegal dump-sites within their space especially at the back which have become haven for rodents, vectors and flies which feeds and  perch on their commodities that they sells to the public"

"These illegal dumpsites aside from aiding the spread of diseases also leads to fire outbreak in markets notably that of Lafenwa Market in Abeokuta months back.So the state government will not allow such issues to happen in any of its market hence the need for proper waste disposal as any market found flouting this directive will be shut.

To avoid such ,he called on the Market Men and Women to imbibe the spirit of proper waste disposal in their different market and cooperate with the Ogun State Waste Management Authority for waste free and clean environment by paying their government subsidized waste bills as at when due which will rub-off on the general well-being of the society.