Lagos State has announced a total ban on street trading, hawking, building of illegal structures on drainage setbacks, and the display of wares on walkways across the state.
In a statement on Friday, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, announced the ban.
The commissioner also ordered the closure of Ladipo Market for environmental offences, including reckless waste disposal, unhygienic premises, and non-payment of waste bills. He said the market would remain closed until the traders and market stakeholders meet the mandatory conditions of redress.
Wahab explained that the latest offensive was meant to curb the activities of hawkers who disguise themselves to rob motorists and also disrupt the free flow of traffic on highways and streets. He also said that the ban on illegal structures on drainage setbacks was aimed at preventing flooding.
Other markets that have been shut for environmental infractions include Oyingbo, Alayabiagba, Oke-Odo, and some sections of Tejuosho Market.
The commissioner reiterated that the government is fully committed to collaborating with market stakeholders to facilitate necessary adjustments and improvements to enable them to meet required environmental standards. He added that the markets will not be reopened for business until set standards are met.
