Cholera: Ogun threatens to shut markets over improper waste disposal

The Ogun State Government has threatened to shut down any market found guilty of improper waste disposal following the cholera outbreak in the state.

A Special Adviser to the Governor and Managing Director of the Ogun State Waste Management Authority (OGWAMA), Abayomi Hunye, made the threat during a meeting with the executives and members of the Ogun State Association of Market Men and Women in Abeokuta.

He noted that there’s a need for proper waste disposal and general cleanliness in all markets, being the rallying points for buying of all commodities.

Hunye added that improper waste disposal in markets bred rodents, vectors and flies which infested commodities sold to the public which would lead to diseases among residents.

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He further said, “In Ogun State, the government has provided big waste collection bins in most of the markets, with some serviced by Waste PSP Operators. So, the traders in the various markets have no reason not to properly dispose of their waste.

“However, some of the traders, with their market leaders looking away, dump their waste in their immediate surroundings, especially on drainage channels in front of their shops or stalls, thereby blocking them, which will lead to erosion when it rains and create offensive odour.

“To make matters worse, some markets create illegal dumpsites within their space, especially at the back, which have become havens for rodents, vectors and flies.

“These illegal dumpsites, aside from aiding the spread of diseases, also lead to fire outbreaks in the markets, notably that of Lafenwa Market in Abeokuta some months back. So, the state government will not allow such issues to happen in any of its markets, hence the need for proper waste disposal, and any market found flouting this directive will be shut.”