According to Gawat, the closure of these markets was carried out by enforcement operatives from the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) and the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) agency. Acting on the directives of Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, the joint operation took place in the early hours of Friday, October 13. Both markets are located along Ikorodu Road in the Kosofe Local Government Area.
The decision to seal up these markets was a result of several environmental violations, including indiscriminate dumping and burning of refuse, maintenance of a filthy environment, and blocked and littered drainages. Additionally, the persistent issue of illegal and indiscriminate parking, as well as the abandonment of trucks on major roads, leading to traffic congestion, were also contributing factors.
It is worth noting that the Lagos State government has been actively closing down popular markets that violate environmental regulations for over a week. Among the markets previously closed down were Ladipo, Oyingbo, Alamutu Ologede, and Ile-Epo. However, some of these markets have since been reopened after meeting the necessary conditions set by the authorities.
The Lagos State government has taken decisive action to enforce environmental laws by sealing up the Mile 12 International Market and Owode Onirin Market. This move, prompted by non-compliance with environmental regulations, was announced by Senior Special Assistant on New Media to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Jubril Gawat, on his official social media handle on Friday.
