The government of Ogun state, Nigeria, yesterday ordered the immediate closure of shops and market stalls in Ifo, Obada-Oko and Owode-Ijako areas of the state for operating in a dirty environment.
The state Deputy Governor, Mrs Yetunde Onanuga, gave the order while monitoring the level of compliance with environmental sanitation regulations by shop owners and market women in parts of the state.
Onanuga, who visited Ewekoro, Ifo and Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Areas, said the government would ensure strict compliance to environmental sanitation laws in homes and business places.
She therefore urged traders in the affected markets to participate regularly in cleaning their environment, to avoid clampdown in the future.
The deputy governor also enjoined people in the state to desist from disposing their wastes in drains and road medians.
She said that a clean environment would help to enhance the productivity of the people.
Onanuga reiterated the state’s commitment to environmental sanitation and its resolve to punish non-compliance.
She stressed that the government would continue to enlighten the general public on the importance of clean environment to healthy living and socio-economic development.
The deputy governor, who noted that “a healthy person is a wealthy person,” declared that the environmental sanitation law was made in good faith.
Mr Monday Cletus and Mrs Adegbesan Adebola, stall owners at Sango–Ota market, commended the efforts of the government, saying that it would improve people’s well being.
