The Nasarawa State Government has ordered the immediate closure of the popular Lafia Tomato Market over alleged poor sanitation and public health concerns.
Margaret Elayo, Commissioner of Environment, Solid Minerals and Mining sealed the market on Saturday during the inspection of the August sanitation exercise.
She explained that Gov. Abdullahi Sule had approved the thorough cleaning of the market and it was done severally, but expressed displeasure over the attitude of the traders.
The Commissioner who led the enforcement team, said the closure followed repeated warnings to traders and market authorities to clean up the 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 the government cannot fold its arms and allow a disease outbreak caused by the attitude of the traders,” she added.
Elayo added that the market would remain closed for two days, Saturday and Sunday until the traders and the market association carry out a comprehensive sanitation exercise that meets the ministry’s hygiene standards.
“The ministry will conduct a re-inspection exercise on Monday to see if the cleaning complies with environmental standards before the market will be reopened, she added.
Similarly, the commissioner said that the enforcement team has impounded 37 tricycles in Lafia for operating within the hours scheduled for the sanitation exercise.
She explained that the tricycles would remain in their custody for two days.
She added that the ministry would conduct a compulsory sensitisation exercise for the owners on Monday from 7:00am to 5:00pm before releasing the tricycles back to them.
The commissioner therefore called on members of the public to always keep their environments clean to guard against the outbreak of all diseases.
“If the environment is kept clean, it will guard against a possible outbreak of any disease, thereby ensuring improved healthy living of the people,’’ she added.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) report that the last Saturday of every month is set aside for a sanitation exercise in Nasarawa State. (NAN).