Nasarawa Government shuts Lafia tomato market and impounds 37 tricycles, warning that poor sanitation could trigger disease outbreaks.
The Nasarawa State Government, has impounded no fewer than 37 tricycles in Lafia for violating environmental laws and operating within the hours scheduled for the monthly environmental sanitation exercise across the state.
Dr. Margaret Elayo, Commissioner of Environment, Solid Minerals and Mining, who disclosed this said the state government had also sealed the market on during the inspection of the August sanitation exercise.
According to her, the closure of the popular tomatoes market and impounded of the tricycles followed repeated warnings to traders and market authorities to clean up the environment.
She, however, maintained that the tricycles would remain in their custody for two days.
Dr. Elayo stated that the ministry would conduct a compulsory sensitization exercise for the owners on Monday from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm before releasing the tricycles back to them.
The environmental commissioner, therefore, appealed to the members of the public to always keep their environments clean to guard against any possible outbreak of all diseases.
Her words, “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.
On the immediate closure of the popular Lafia Tomato Market over alleged poor sanitation and public health concerns, she stated that Governor Abdullahi Sule had approved the thorough cleaning of the market and it was done severally, but expressed deep concerned over the non challant attitude of the traders for not always keep the market clean.
“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.
Dr. 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 concluded.
