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The Lagos State Government on Thursday, September 19, sealed off the popular Idera Market, located in the Oshodi area of the state for contravening environmental laws.

The State Environmental Sanitation Corps, LAGESC, popularly known as KAI, confirmed the closure.

The Corps Marshal KAI, Major Olaniyi Cole (retd), said it was part of intensified efforts aimed at ensuring adherence to environmental cleanliness across registered markets in the State.

According to Cole, ‘‘Our operatives stationed across the Oshodi division during routine market monitoring identified the filth, unhygienic practices and indiscriminate dumping of refuse around the Idera Market area which prompted us to seal off the market until further notice’.”

He decried the unimpressive level of hygiene at the market which he described as capable of causing illnesses and disease outbreak to market vendors and buyers alike.

“Markets must imbibe hygienic practices to prevent the spread of diseases,” Oke stressed.

He also highlighted how the market leadership was unable to provide a valid waste collection contract, citing the infraction as the lead cause of refuse heaps in the market.  

The KAI boss also read the riot act to markets across the State to maintain an acceptable level of hygiene as KAI operatives stationed across Lagos constantly monitor market environments for infractions.

He warned that any market found erring will be sealed off until total compliance is achieved.

Reiterating the carpet ban on the sales, distribution and usage of Styrofoam packs in the State, Cole also highlighted the resolve of the agency to deal decisively with marketers found culpable in this regard.

He affirmed that the display of wares for sale on road setbacks, lay-bys, medians, verges, kerbs which constitute street trading and hawking remains banned in the metropolis.