Some residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have
complained about the poor sanitary condition of markets in the nation’s capital
city.

A cross section of people interviewed by newsmen  said the markets had heaps of refuse and
could cause health problems

Mr Sunday John, who is a resident of Wuse, decried the dirty
environment at the Wuse Market, adding “there are toilet facilities in this
market but some people will prefer to urinate in the open around the market”.

“You still see some traders staying close to such areas
trading and some hair dressers giving services around such places and people
will be inhaling the unclean air, “ she said.

At Karu market the story is not different, Chidera Nwoke, a
resident of Karu, expressed displeasure about the state of the market,
especially during the rainy season.

“I wonder if anybody is thinking about the health hazards of
this dirty environment in spite of the fact that the food we eat are sold here.

“It is disgusting to see that no one seems to care about it;
there is no access road to the market. The only entrance to the market now is
located at the back of the market.

‘’ The indiscriminate way people urinate opposite the mosque
at the market gate, will make you refuse to eat anything when you get home,”
Nwoke said.

Amaka Agu, lives in Nyanya, she said that the heaps of
refuse around the Nyanya market has reached an unbearable level.

“You can never pass through this market and see the road
free without suffering from inhaling the repulsive odour of refuse as well as
urination and defecation.

“We now compete with pigs in the area of uncleanliness, AEPA
is trying, at least I do see them evacuating the refuse from time to time but
the people themselves are not helping matters, “ she said.

At Lugbe and Karimo markets the scenario is characterised
with indiscriminate dumping of refuse, lack of access roads, indiscriminate
urination and defecation.

However, at the Garki Modern Market, the situation is
different as those interviewed said the market was about the cleanest of
markets in the FCT.

Maria Okoh said she bought her commodities at the Garki
modern market though she lives at Lugbe, adding that the sanitation condition
at the market made shopping there a delight.

“I live at Lugbe, I do my shopping here because the place is
the best in sanitation; I commend those who are making the effort to keep it
clean, they should keep it up,” Okoh said.

Reports says that most markets in the satellite towns of the
FCT are temporary structures that are basically make shift, which might be
relocated or changed to modern markets.