The Ogun State Government has sealed the Adatan Market in Abeokuta for environmental infractions and illegal roadside trading.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency, OGEPA, Farouk Akintunde, who also doubles as the Chairman Ogun State Task Force on Environmental Compliance, made this known to journalists after an enforcement exercise on Tuesday.
Akintunde explained that Adatan Market was sealed due to traders dumping refuse indiscriminately in drainage channels and displaying goods on the walkways and drainages.
He warned that the government would no longer tolerate disregard for environmental regulations.
“Market traders across Ogun State should take ownership of drainage channels in front of their shops, desilt and clear them to prevent flooding, while they should also note that Thursday of the week has been set aside in Ogun State for markets to observe sanitation which must be strictly adhered to,” he said.
Akintunde revealed that the enforcement and eventual closure of the market followed several months of warnings and engagements with traders which they refused to yield to.
The OGEPA boss noted that the series of enforcement actions underscored the state government’s zero tolerance for environmental pollution and its renewed commitment to keeping the state clean.
Subsequently, Alaga Restaurant along Mercy road, Panseke and Cintinatti Bar in Oke-Ilewo, both in Abeokuta, were also sealed for poor management of waste water, discharged into the environment.
