Lagos Govt Reopens Popular Alaba International, Trade Fair Markets

The Lagos State Government has reopened Alaba International Market and some markets in the Trade Fair Complex in Ojo, Lagos, following a temporary closure due to improper waste disposal and environmental infractions.

VerseNews reports that the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources emphasized that the decision to close these markets was not politically motivated but intended to ensure a clean and healthy environment.

He said the government will continue to enforce stringent environmental standards to maintain a balance between commerce and environmental health.

“I state emphatically that the closure of those markets had no ethnic or political motives as it was done to ensure cleanliness and environmental sustainability for the good of all residents.

“The decision to reopen the markets followed rigorous assessment and implementation of stringent environmental standards.

“These standards were set to guarantee that businesses in the state operate in a manner that is not detrimental to the environment and the well-being of the people,” he said.

The Lagos Waste Management Authority worked closely with market stakeholders to help them comply with the required environmental standards, such as proper waste containment, eradication of street trading, and adherence to environmental laws.

“We have standards that each market in the state have to comply with to make our business environment clean and healthy for buyers and sellers.

“These include proper waste management, zero tolerance for open burning of waste and zero tolerance for dumping of wastes in the drainage channels.

“Others are engagement of market policing personnel to monitor market sanitation, observance of distance from road setbacks, medians and market surroundings to avoid indiscriminate dumping.

“We must also ensure eradication of street trading and trading on road medians and shoulders, which obstruct free flow of traffic.

“Tariffs must also be fully paid as any violation of the stated regulations would attract penalties and possible subsequent closure of offending markets,’’ Managing Director of Lagos Waste Management Authority, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin concluded.