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admin By Oyebola Owolabi
Wife of the Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, has advocated for proper waste management, especially in markets, to ensure a cleaner Lagos and better living for residents.
Mrs. Sanwo-Olu spoke at the Sabo Ultra-Modern Market Yaba, during a one-day seminar on Sanitisation and Security for Market Leaders in Yaba Local Council Development Area.
The seminar, organised by the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO) in collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, was to sensitise leaders on measures to prevent any forms of hazards within the markets.
The theme was ‘Improving Waste Management and Public Health in Markets: A Recipe for Economic Growth and Prosperity in Lagos Central Senatorial District’.
The governor’s wife explained that her office has continues to re-echo the importance of hygiene, safety and security in marketplaces, while supporting several initiatives of the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration towards promoting market sanitation and safety.
According to her, markets are the lifeblood of the economy that provides essential goods and services, but also posing environmental and health risks when people refuse to adhere to environmental guidelines on proper Waste Management.
She said: “Without proper waste management, we risk the possibility of contamination of food and water, air and water pollution, which do not only threaten the lives of consumers, but also the lives of traders.
“But we can change the narrative by adhering strictly to guidelines which would help in converting waste to wealth when properly done. The Lagos of our dream and the 21St Century Economy we desire in Lagos would only be possible when we religiously adhere to the guidelines on proper waste disposal and recycling in our markets.
“As we discuss this issue, we must also not shy away from the importance of security, which requires our vigilance and our constant interactions with security operatives, to ensure lives and properties in the markets are safe.
“Lagos State is committed to transforming waste management in our markets through the Lagos State Waste Management Agency (LAWMA) which has, over the years, devoted energy, time and resources in ensuring efficient waste collection and disposal.”
Going forward, Mrs. Sanwo-Olu assured the people that the current administration will build more market infrastructure, organise training and advocacy seminars that would assist government’s resolve to enforce regulations and standards in the markets.
She however appealed to the residents to embrace the government’s desire to build profitable markets that are hygienic and safe for all.
Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, Bolaji Kayode Robert, in his welcome address, said that consistent advocacies in the last five years have resulted in the decrease of fire outbreaks in markets across the state.
Robert, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Kikelomo Bolarinwa, noted that it is important to continue to promote hygiene and advocate for better market-place sanitation.
He said: “In the past four years, the governor’s wife has committed herself to ensuring that market stakeholders can learn ways to convert waste to wealth, while reiterating the importance of safety and hygiene in these markets. There have been significant changes in the cleanliness adopted within and around markets as proper waste disposal methods are being adopted, regular sanitation and security, while safety measures are deepened.
“This is why Mrs. Sanwo-Olu has remained unshaken in her resolve to acquaint market stakeholders with the information needed to avert potential health risks that lurk around our markets, on the commodities, produce and currencies that we exchange for transactions in our markets, if proper hygiene practices are not observed.”
Chairman of Yaba Local Council Development Area Kayode Omiyale thanked the First Lady for creating quality ambience around the marketplaces thereby preserving the environment.
He said the council has over the years prioritised hygiene, safety and security, and is upscaling market facilities to world standard.
Different facilitators took turns to sensitise market leaders on their role in ensuring secure and safe markets, management of information in Lagos Open Markets, Fire Prevention and Safety in Markets, among others.
