Lagos Council Threatens To Seal Dirty Shops, Punish Owners

Dirty food sellers and owners of dirty stalls at the abattoir in Agege, Lagos State risk being sealed, Mrs Mary Alake, Principal Environmental Officer, Ojokoro Local Council Development Area, said yesterday.
Alake said told newsmen during the weekly sanitation in Lagos that the local council was determined to ensure strict observance of sanitation in the area.
“Anyone that fails to keep his or her shop area clean will be given an abatement notice to compel them to clean up the area while their shops are locked.
“These food sellers have been told to wear aprons and caps to maintain hygienel; if they fail to do this they will be issued an abatement notice, “ she said.
She said the effort was in line with the state government’s desire to maintain a healthy environment.
“I want to urge market men and women to keep to the environmental laws of the state because they are to ensure a healthy environment.
“We are trying to reduce or eradicate cholera outbreak and other illnesses associated with dirty environment,” she said.
While telling them to adhere to environmental sanitation regulations, Alake urged the market women and men to clean their drains so as to avoid flooding.
The Otun Balogun of Irepodun Abattoir Butchers and Meat Market Association, Mr Rahman Niniola, who spoke on behalf of the Iyaloja of the market said that butchers adhered strictly to hygienic standards.
“We have always urged traders to keep a clean environment. That is why we ensure that the drains are cleaned daily.
“There has not been a case of indiscipline ever since the Ojokoro Sanitation Department made it a point of  duty to tour the market every Thursday and last Saturdays of the month,” he said.