The Lagos State Government has reopened Alaba International Market and parts of the Trade Fair Complex in Ojo, Lagos, which had been closed due to improper waste disposal and other environmental breaches.
This was disclosed on Saturday by the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) in a statement on its Facebook page.
Tokunbo Wahab, the state commissioner for environment and water resources, was reported in the statement as saying that the decision to reopen the markets was not politically motivated but rather focused on creating a clean and healthy business environment.
Wahab stated, “The decision to reopen the markets follows a rigorous assessment and implementation of stringent environmental standards.
“These standards were set to ensure that businesses in the state operate in a manner that is not harmful to the environment or the well-being of people.
”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.”
He emphasized the significance of striking a balance between trade and environmental health.
He emphasized that the government would continue to enforce these rules by closing any market or business entity found to be in breach.
Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, Managing Director of LAWMA, stated that the agency worked with market stakeholders to guarantee compliance with the required environmental standards.
Gbadegesin emphasized the importance of markets operating in a way that is not only economically viable but also environmentally friendly.
He explained the standards, which included effective trash containment, the purchase of double bins, the hiring of bin keepers, zero tolerance for open waste burning, and other items.
He asked people and business owners to contribute to environmental sustainability by properly disposing of waste and following state environmental rules in order to avoid more closures that could significantly affect business operations.
