Lagos State Government at the weekend warned market leaders
across the State not to jeopardize its effort in averting flooding, saying any
market found to be involved in indiscriminate dumping of waste to block
drainages will be shut down.
The State government gave the warning at a one-day seminar
organised by the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO) in Agege
in collaboration with the State's Ministry of Local Government and Community
Affairs.
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Dr. Wale Ahmed and his counterpart, Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tunji Bello who was represented by the permanent secretary of the ministry, Mr. Belinda Odeneye tasked market women and men on proper hygiene.
Ahmed in his welcome address said the need to revisit the issue of market sanitation and security has become imperative, considering the increase in population and waste generation in the State.
L-R: PS, MLG&CA, Mrs Kikelomo Sanyaolu; MD, LAWMA, Mr Ibrahim Odumboni; HC, MIOS, Mr Gbenga Omotosho; First Lady and Chairman, COWLSO, Dr (Mrs) Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu; Iyaloja-General and Chairman; LASMAC, Chief (Mrs) Folashade Tinubu-Ojo; HC, MLG&CA, Dr Wale Ahmed and PS, Min. of Environment & Water Resources, Mrs Belinda Odeneye at the One Day Seminar on Market Sanitation & Security for Market Leaders held on Friday, September 17, 2021 at Agege Area Complex, Opposite Agege Local Governmen
"The benefits and advantages of sanitation in our markets
cannot be exhausted, considering the fact that we have three hundred and
eighty-two registered markets in Lagos State.
"Drawing from the untoward incidents occurring
everywhere, it will not be out of place, that vigilance and intelligence gathering
should form part of our primary responsibility. This will help us to be
proactive, and be steps ahead of anyone or groups, planning to disturb the
peace of the State," he said.
In her keynote address, Chairperson of COWLSO and wife of the
State Governor, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, emphasised hygiene and cleanliness in
the marketplace, which according to her would engender a healthy environment.
(Fifth from Left) First Lady and Chairman, COWLSO, Dr (Mrs) Ibijoke Sanwo Olu; Iyaloja-General and Chairman; LASMAC, Chief (Mrs) Folashade Tinubu Ojo with members of Lagos State Market Advisory Council at the One Day Seminar on Market Sanitation & Security for Market Leaders held on Friday, September 17, 2021 at Agege Area Complex, Opposite Agege Local Governmen
Sanwo-Olu added that health and environment are intertwined
and that this was why the issue of sanitation must be given the seriousness it
truly and genuinely deserved to secure the health of the people.
She said it was a statement of fact that there is a nexus
between the state of the environment of a particular geographical location and the
wellbeing of the people in such area.
"We know that a lot of waste is generated from our
markets and as market leaders, it is important that we seize this opportunity
to appeal to our market men and women to do away with unhygienic practices
including indiscriminate dumping of waste, blocking of drainages and street
trading, among others.
“The truth of the matter is that it is in our collective
interest to imbibe international best practices in administering markets and
protect our environment," she said.
Sanwo-Olu stated that the issue of hygiene and cleanliness in
markets was paramount and that every important and necessary step must be
taken by all stakeholders to inspire a healthy and secured marketplace.
“Also, we have intentionally included security and safety of
our markets as part of the topics at this seminar. First of all, security is
everybody’s business and as market men and women and community leaders, we must
be conscious of the need to make our security a priority. When we see
something, we must say something!
“Security in the marketplace is paramount and there must be
proper identification of all traders and people trading in the market. The
Monitoring and Evaluation of security activities in the market must be a daily
affair and also in every community,” she said.
The First Lady said as market men and women, they must take
ownership of security in their markets and that like the #Sorosoke Generation,
they have to speak up and speak out loud and clear when they suspect any
suspicious movement or activity around them, especially the issue of strangers
coming to sleep overnight in the market.
“These and many others, including fire outbreaks in the market
must be addressed in order to protect the investments of the people, going
forward,” she added.
Similarly, Iyaloja-General and Chairman, LASMAC, Chief (Mrs)
Folashade Tinubu-Ojo while speaking urged market leaders to insist on sanity in
their markets by ensuring that market men and women are not allowed to extend
their wares and produce beyond the allotted perimeters. She added that most
markets are complicit of the act of placing their wares on pathways allotted
for pedestrians. This she said does not only affect traffic, it also put market
men and women at risk of accidents. She implored market leaders not to allow these
acts in their markets.
MD, LAWMA, Mr Ibrahim Odumboni in his address also assured
market leaders and stakeholders that the State Government has equipped the
agency with all the resources needed to ensure markets in Lagos are clean,
promising that the agency would leave no stone unturned to ensure wastes in
markets are promptly disposed of.
Facilitators at the event which included CP, Mr Hakeem Odumosu
represented by ACP Ola Agboola, Director, Lagos State Fire Service, Mrs
Margaret Adeseye and others urged market leaders to ensure sanitation and
security are prioritised in our markets until our markets become a model for
markets in Nigeria and in Africa at large.
The event which was attended by Local Government Chairmen of
Ikeja division and major market stakeholders is one of the contributory efforts
of the First Lady, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu through COWLSO to ensure markets in the
State are clean and secure.
Mrs. Folashade Kadiri
Director, Public Affairs
MLGACA
19-09-21
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