The Lagos State Government has reopened the Ketu fruit market for business activities, following its temporary closure due to non-compliance with environmental regulations.
The state’s Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, announced this development on Friday during a press briefing after inspecting the Lagos Island regeneration project.
Wahab noted that the market, which had been shut down on Thursday, was reopened after authorities observed significant compliance efforts by traders who cleaned the market throughout the night.
“Market is the first point of contact for most people. Once the cleaning of those markets is done, we will unseal them,” he explained.
“We have unsealed the perishable markets because they worked overnight, and we saw the level of compliance, and we unsealed like one hour ago.”
He emphasized that repeated notices were previously served to market operators, who failed to comply, adding, “People cannot continue to be recalcitrant and forget that the government will enforce them. After our intervention, we allowed them to make things right by cleaning up the market.”
Wahab highlighted that the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) actively supports waste management efforts, especially when PSP operators encounter difficulties.
“LAWMA is also intervening where the PSP operators are challenged; that is an ongoing narrative with us; you saw the LAWMA trucks this morning wading in and packing those wastes at the market,” he said.
Additionally, Wahab ordered the removal of illegal shanties obstructing the drainage channel near King Ado High School on Ojo Giwa and directed that a building under construction at Idi Oluwo be sealed due to obstructing drainage with building materials.
Addressing flooding concerns, Wahab reassured Lagos Island residents that the government has effective flood management measures in place. The ongoing urban regeneration project aims to resolve flooding issues affecting Adeniji, Oroyinyin, Idumagbo, Ojo Giwa, Jankara, Aroloya, and surrounding areas.
Wahab reaffirmed the government’s determination to continue advocating against Styrofoam usage, declaring a firm stance on enforcement. “So, on our part, we keep doing the advocacy, and then we would not just dangle the carrot, we would also enforce and sanction people that are not ready to comply and just outrightly incorrigible,” he said.
Concerning recent federal flood warnings, Wahab urged residents not to panic, reassuring that Lagos State remains adequately prepared. “Lagos State is prepared for it, and it is an annual thing. Nature will take its course between April and sometime later in the year,” he concluded.