Nasarawa State Government has shut down the popular Lafia Tomato Market, over alleged poor sanitation and public health concerns.
Margaret Elayo, the state Commissioner for Environment, Solid Minerals and Mining, gave the order on Saturday, while monitoring the monthly environmental sanitation for the month of August.
She explained that Gov. Abdullahi Sule had approved the thorough cleaning of the market but she expressed displeasure over the attitude of the traders towards the instruction.
The commissioner, who led the enforcement team, said the closure followed repeated warnings to traders and market authorities, to clean up the market environment.
“We have observed heaps of refuse, poor drainage, and unhygienic handling of perishable goods in this market.
“This poses a serious health risk to residents and government cannot fold its arms and allow a disease outbreak, caused by the non-challant attitude of the traders,” she explained.
Elayo said the market would remain closed on Saturday and Sunday, until the traders and the market association conductedba comprehensive sanitation exercise that meets the ministry’s hygiene standards.
“The ministry will conduct a re-inspection on Monday, to see if the cleaning complies with environmental standards before the market reopens, she added.
Similarly, the commissioner said that the enforcement team impounded 37 tricycles in Lafia, for operating within the hours scheduled for the sanitation exercise.
She explained that the impounded tricycles would remain in government custody for two days.
She, however, said the ministry would conduct a compulsory sensitisation exercise for the tricycle owners on Monday, before releasing the vehicles.
The commissioner appealed to the public to keep the environment clean always to guard against the outbreak of diseases.
“If the environment is kept clean it will guard against possible outbreak of diseases, thereby ensuring improved healthy living of the people,’’ she said.
The last Saturday of every month is set aside for a sanitation exercise in Nasarawa State.