In continuation of it’s bid to sanitise the environment of markets and others in Lagos,the Lagos State Government, on Sunday, shut down the Auto Spare Parts and Machinery Dealers Association (ASPAMDA), BBA and other markets within the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex, in Ojo Local Government Area of the state.
The reason is alleged environmental infractions.
Officials of Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) in partnership with the Lagos Task Force on Environmental Sanitation and Special Offenses and Lagos Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC) carried out the enforcement as part of the ongoing clampdown on Environmental nuisance.
Director, Public Affairs, the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Kunle Adeshina, confirmed the enforcement on his X handle (formerly Twitter).
According to Adesina, the agencies carried out the directive given by the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab.
”Following the directives of Honorable Commissioner, Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, HC MOE&WR, LAWMA 2023, shut ASPAMDA, BBA and other markets within the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex.
“The enforcement was carried out by officials of Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) in partnership with Lagos Task Force on Environmental Sanitation and Special Offenses and Lagos Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC) for poor waste disposal practices, non-payment for waste disposal and general environmental sanitation infractions.”
Since the enforcement was on a Sunday, it is not yet clear whether the traders will be allowed into the market on Monday.
It is also not clear what the actual cost of the alleged infraction will be.
A trader at ASPAMDA who spoke to TheNiche on Sunday calls the closure “unnecessary harassment.”
“They are done with Ladipo Market, now it is Trade Fair Complex. This is all about revenue drive. But it is sad that at a time when the economy is in coma, instead of encouraging businessmen, the government is driving more people out of business with draconian and incoherent policies.”
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